SO RUN THAT YE MAY OBTAIN.
I WILL not look behind me, no!
My face is Zionward:
The kingdom is before me, and
My Captain's voice I've heard.
Though father, mother, brother, friend,
Affection's powers may try
To win me back, I'll lend no ear,
No tear bedim my eye! Onward my steps are taken, and
Still onward they shall press,
Though persecution I should meet,
Or famine and distress:
The love of God is mighty love,
And shall my soul sustain
Through tribulation, Satan's ire,
Fell want, or racking pain. Oh, who would look behind him, who,
Upon this scene of gloom,
Of sickness, anguish, sin and death,
From off that world to come?
Where crowns that never fade away
Shall shine with glory bright;
And life eternal glad the soul,
And beauty spread delight! I will not look behind me, no!
On those that with the name
Of Jesus on their lips, refuse
His advent to proclaim!
Who turn away from truth, and give
To fables willing ear;
When he by truth to judge them comes,
Can such his presence bear. The Lord commands his people all
To watch, and wait, and pray;
Expect his coming, and to stand
Prepared for the day!
How can they stand prepared, who think
His coming far away;
And dread to hear of its approach,
And meditate delay. Christian! the Lord hath led the way—
Apostles, martyrs, true
To him, have trod the heavenly path—
The path marked out for you!
Narrow the road, but sure the prize,
"Onward," your watchword be:
And onward, onward, onward press,
Until the victory.—Sel.