Armed Peace by Max Hill

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 6, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 19.

"Armed Peace."

By Max Hill

Peace, peace, the nations fondly cry, The Philadelphian day draws nigh When nations lay their hatred by, And peaceful banners stream! When swords to plowshares shall be made, When warriors turn to peaceful trade, The weak shall flourish unafraid, And love shall reign supreme!

But one there was in days of old, A man of God, a prophet bold, Who of the latter days foretold,— Prepare, for war prepare! Go make the metal white with heat, To spears and swords your plowshares beat, Go forth in armor all complete, To meet the foeman there!

Behold, in our own day we see, In our own land so great and free, That lasting peace can never be With dogs of war abroad! From sea to sea, from shore to shore, In accents louder than before, We hear the cannon's sullen roar, And gathered hosts applaud!

Great armies gather in their might, And fleets with thundrous guns bedight, Surcharged, impatient for the fight— The dove of peace they scorn! The world in admiration stands, And eyes from near and distant lands Gaze on the fleet which bravely stands Around the stormy Horn!

A welcome waits the sailors brave, Who face the dangers of the wave, Who heart and hand their land will save That Freedom's flag may fly! The world e'er honors with a cheer And with a patriotic tear, Defenders who, without a fear, For freedom live or die!

O would that soon the day might be That nations from the curse were free, That from the wrong the world might flee, And learn of war no more! Then angel hosts would gather home The weary waiting ones who roam, And faithful saints see heaven's dome Upon the shining shore!

Max Hill.