p. 1 | THE ARMY OF THE LORD by Adelaide Procter

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1859

THE ARMY OF THE LORD.

By Adelaide Procter

The following lines are by Adelaide Procter, the daughter of the poet Procter, whose songs, written under the name of Barry Cornwall, are so well known.

To fight the battle of the Cross, Christ's chosen ones are sent, Good Soldiers and great Victors—a noble Armament; They use no earthly weapons—they know not spear or sword; Yet right, and true, and valiant is the army of the Lord!

Fear them, ye mighty ones of earth! fear them, ye demon foes! Slay them and think to conquer, but the ranks will always close! In vain do earth and hell unite their power and skill to try; They fight the better for their wounds, and conquer when they die.

The soul of every sinner is the victory they would gain; They would bind each rebel heart in their Master's golden chain: Faith is the shield they carry, and the two-edged sword they bear Is God's strongest, mightiest weapon, and they call it Love and Prayer.

And some there are—among us—the path that they have trod Of sin and pain, and anguish, has led at last to God— They plead, and Christ will hear them, that the poor slaves who pine In the blind dungeon they have left may see his truth divine.

Oh! who can tell how many hearts are altars to his praise, From which the silent prayer ascends through patient nights and days; The sacrifice is offered in secret and alone, Oh, world! ye do not know them, but he can help his own.

They are with us, his true soldiers; they come in power and might; Glorious the crown that they shall gain after the heavenly fight; And you, perchance, who scoff, may yet their rest and glory share, The rich spoil of their battle, and the captives of their prayer.

Oh, who shall tell the wonder of that great day of rest, When even on this place of strife his soldiers are so blest? Oh world! Oh earth! Why strive ye? Join the low chant they sing— "O grave, where is thy victory! O death, where is thy sting?"