Hymn on the Second Advent.
Now is fulfilled the great revelation :
Come is the time by prophets foretold ;
Lo ! the dread signs of the world's desolation,
Faith waxing dim and true love growing cold,
Heart of man faileth : sorrow prevaileth :
Come, blessed Deliverer, promised of old ! Shepherd of Israel, see thy flock straying,
Homeless and shelterless, hungry and cold ;
Fled is the hireling, the false and betraying,
Scattered the sheep o'er the desolate wold.
Come thou and lead us : shelter us, feed us :
Come, Lord, and bring us into thy blest fold. Hope of the Gentiles ! Bright star of the morning !
When shall the night of our waiting be past ?
When shall we welcome the hill-tips adorning,
The blessed light of thy rising at last !
O then to greet thee : going to meet thee :
When every burden away shall be cast. Courage, ye fearful, be strong ye weak-hearted ;
Cease not ye servants to watch and to pray.
Far from the country to which he's departed,
Shall your Lord come, but ye know not the day.
O blessed morrow ! when care and sorrow
Shall at thy dawn flee forever away.