THE WARFARE by ZIONA

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1858

THE WARFARE.

By ZIONA

Art thou wearied so soon in the warfare of life? Dost thou faint in the struggle and shrink from the strife? Wilt thou lay down thy weapons and yield in despair, When the wreath of the victor is waiting so near?

Oh! arouse thee, my soul, from ignoble repose! Come! bravely advance and confront thy proud foes; Sigh not in thy freedom for bondage again, Nor linger disheartened so long on the plain.

The battle is not to the mighty of earth, But to those whom the word of the Lord summons forth— Nor the race to the swift, nor the prize to the strong; Then be "faint yet pursuing," thy watchword and song.

Hark! the sound of the trumpet—the signal of war; Up! haste to the standard, which waves from afar! Follow on, where the cross is uplifted, nor flee, Lest the curse upon Meroz descend upon thee.

Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might, Girding on the whole armor of God for the fight; For we wrestle not only with evil within, But with rulers of darkness who tempt us to sin.

Stand, therefore—thy loins encircled with truth; Thy breastplate of righteousness, not thine own worth; Thy feet let the gospel of peace then adorn, And the hope of salvation a helmet be worn,

Above all, take the shield of unwavering faith, To quench all the fiery darts in thy path; Grasp the sword of the Spirit, with nerve-lifted hand, And the wiles of the devil undaunted withstand.

Go, then, and the joy of the Lord be thy strength; He will give thee both victory and honor at length; But the good fight of faith must be fought ere 'tis won, The reward of the work cometh when it is done.

ZIONA.

From the "Sabbath Recorder."