Only be strong and very courageous
By Llewellyn A. Morrison
Only be strong and very courageous
By Llewellyn A. Morrison. ART thou weary, brother, in the way—
Fain to leave thy load behind thee?
Art thou beaten sorely in the fray?
Do thy burdens chafe and bind thee? Courage, heart! No beds of ease
Spread for them whom God doth please
To send forth by grace and skill
To work out His perfect will;
Bear thy burden in His name—
He will give thee soul of flame;
Do thy task in truth and share
All the comforts of His care;
Speak thy word and bear thy pain—
They will bring thee endless gain;
Stay by Him and He will stay
Close beside thee all the way. Art thou cheerless, sister, in the home,
Where the “Wolves of Want” assail thee?
Do no joyful voices come?
Do thy fervid hopes all fail thee? Courage, heart! God knoweth all—
Every wounded sparrow’s fall,
All the pangs that pierce thy breast,
Each sore cry that breaks thy rest,—
Sees thy hurt and counts thy tears,
Feels the truth in all thy years:
Go to Him for peace, and plead
For the sweetness thou dost need;
Heaven is what thou art and where
God abides, no lack is there:
Come to Him and He will come
As the sunlight of thy home. Dost thou dream that holiness will cease—
Wrong and Sin ascendance gaining,
Dost thou tremble lest the Prince of Peace
May not be forever reigning? Courage, heart! The dawn breaks free—
God’s full year of jubilee;
Freedom, Truth, and Right have won
By the merit of the Son;
Earth is His and Heaven above
Is the perfect life of love;
Fear not thou, but do thy part,
With a strong and constant heart
Stand for virtue, goodness, light—
God will banish all the night:
Cease thy doubt, for sin shall cease,—
Faith and holiness increase.