Welcome, Thrice Welcome, Dear Old Signs
By L. D. Avery-Stuttle
By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle. WELCOME, thrice welcome, dear old SIGNS,
We prize thee more than golden mines,
And thankful give thee welcome sweet,
Glad thy familiar face to greet.
Like one who from some foreign shore
Returns, to wander never more,
Whose friends rejoice with joy untold
Once more their loved one to behold,
E'en so, with thankful hearts do we
Rejoice the good old SIGNS to see. Thine enemies would wish thee dead,
But bravely hast thou raised thine head,
The Gospel of the Lord to spread.
And so we greet thy dear old face,
And pray, "God speed thee on thy race
And grant thee mighty strength and grace."
Thou shalt not suffer sad defeat,
Thou hast a message glad and sweet,—
The glorious tidings thou dost bring,—
The tidings of the coming King. Ten thousand homes now sad and drear
Would welcome thee with hearts of cheer
Could they these blessed tidings hear.
Go cheer the bowed with hopes of heaven;
Go tell of Christ and sins forgiven;
Go raise the Cross of Calvary high
That men may see it ere they die.
Go bring to light God's righteous Law
In which there is no fault nor flaw;
Go cry with voice and pen
Unto the dying sons of men:
"Repent! the Judge stands at the gate;
Repent! ere it shall be too late;
Repent! or share the scoffer's fate."
Behold, He cometh; sad heart, cheer;
The SIGNS proclaims His advent near.
Good Messenger, haste, haste thee fast;
The field is white; thy work is vast;
While we, like Hur and Aaron stand
To aid thee in thy mission grand
And valiantly hold up thy hand.
God speed thee—speed thee on thy way,
Till dawneth the eternal day.