Awake, O Church of God!
By Llewellyn A. Morrison
O Church of God, put on thy strength!
Put off the garments fouled by sin,
And let thy Lord clothe thee, at length,
With sacred power all souls to win!
Too long hast thou a vassal lain,
At sensual ease, for sodden gain. O Church divine, be shod with truth,
And armored by the living Word!
So shalt thou have immortal youth,
And Christ within thy gates be heard,—
The vital Name in all thy creeds,
The crown and glory of thy deeds. O Church omnipotent, thy light
Is as the light of all the days;
When thou art strong, there is no night
Or shadow—only peace and praise.
They who thy templed courts adore,
Dwell in their wideness evermore. O blessed Church, thou hast a part
Of every wondrous thing above,—
The life, the zeal, the holy heart,
The freedom and the perfect love,
The rest, the joy, the bliss complete
With Mary—at the Master's feet. Put on thy robes, O Church of God!
The shield and helmet of His grace;
Unfurl thy banners—bathed in blood—
And stand before Him, face to face!
Go in His name! By faith and prayer
Thou shalt with Him the fulness share.