THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING.
By Henry N. Cobb
Lord Jesus, the word thou hast spoken,
“Behold I come quickly,” is sure.
So come, Lord! But where is the token?
How long shall thy patience endure?
How long shall thy people be mourning
The length of thy darksome delay?
Come quickly, in triumph returning,
And hasten thy glorious day! CHORUS.—Rejoice, for the triumph is nearing!
And soon, with his angels appearing,
All glory and majesty wearing,
Our King shall return to his own. See, far in the wilderness streaming,
The water of life finds its way;
See, round the horizon is gleaming
The dawn of a holier day.
From nation to nation is flying,
On fleet wings, the life-giving word;
A voice in the desert is crying,
“Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” If more and more clearly the power
Of that “wicked one” works in the world,
Then more and more near is the hour
When he from his seat shall be hurled;
In the terrible day of Christ’s coming,
Unsheathing his glittering sword—
In the flame of that brightness consuming—
He shall fall by the breath of the Lord. And what if, through fear of the morrow,
Men’s hearts are beginning to fail!
If nations are burdened with sorrow,
And stars in the heavens grow pale!
All these are the signs he hath spoken;
We lift up our heads to the sky;
His promise can never be broken;
We know that his coming draws nigh. Then wake to the signs of his coming!
Go spread the glad tidings abroad!
Be valiant in fight for the kingdom,
Ye soldiers of Christ and of God!
Till under his glorious banner
The world is subdued, and at peace;
And round the whole earth one Hosanna
Is sung to the praise of his grace. Withhold not the strength of your manhood;
Withhold not the dew of your youth;
The beauty and freshness of service,
The witness of duty and truth;
Withhold not your treasures most cherished,
Yourselves with your offerings bring,
Till sin from the land is all perished,
And Jesus forever is King. —Rev. Henry N. Cobb, formerly a Missionary in Persia.