BENEFITS received should call forth thanksgiving in response. Thanksgiving, or praise (for the two are often synonymous in the Scriptures), is as old as God’s benefits and His creatures’ gratitude, and is obligatory upon all the recipients of His blessings. And so God has enjoined thanksgiving and praise upon all His works, and especially all His sentient creatures. Psalm 148 is a grand choral anthem calling upon all creatures in heaven and earth and sea to join in the great universal thanksgiving song.
We may surely know that as the angels behold the forthshining of God’s effulgence, as they contemplate His goodness, as they see His loveliness of character manifest in abounding mercy and grace to the undeserving, while they themselves are also the constant recipients of His benefits, their every chord of music and every act of service are beautified by the grace of holy thankfulness.
How much more should sinful man, wholly unworthy and undeserving, be thankful to God for His goodness!
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good;
For His mercy endureth forever.”
For What to Thank God.
All good things come of God through Christ. For “every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.” All material blessings, all mental and social and spiritual blessings which have been or are or will be, are from God. He gave the earth to be the home of man, and man forfeited his home through sin, and the trail of the serpent and the shadow of death rest heavily upon it. But God gave His well-beloved Son to die to purchase back the world and to win man’s allegiance to eternal love. He sends His rain on the just and on the unjust. He gave His Word of truth to instruct rebellious and sinful and imperfect man in the way of life. His good and mighty Spirit pours out upon the world the great, diffusive currents of life, to restrain evil, to plead with man, to preserve his life, that man may turn and live. He has permitted sin—man’s way, the selfish way—to run its course, in famine, pestilence, disease, death, war, and strife, that man may see that sin is exceeding sinful, that what one sows he must reap; and yet, amid all this warfare and rebellion against God, this woe and misery of earth, comes the voice of Eternal Love and Mercy from the Father’s throne, in tones of infinite tenderness and appeal, saying, “Come.” “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” And from him who responds, who gives himself to God, the sin is taken away; to him is a new heart given, and he is clothed in the bridal robes of the righteousness of his King. He is given power over sin here, and at last an abundant entrance into that kingdom which knows no song save that of “thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” No wonder, as “the sweet singer of Israel” recounted God’s mercies, he exclaimed:—
“O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men.”
“Let the peoples praise Thee, O God;
Let all the peoples praise Thee.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy.”
And it would seem that every grateful soul would respond:—
“I will give Thee thanks with my whole heart;”
“I will worship toward Thy holy temple,
And give thanks unto Thy name
For Thy loving-kindness and for Thy truth.”
“I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth;
Yea, I will praise Him among the multitude.”
“I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise Thee among much people.”
When to Give Thanks.
On special days alone, or once a year? This is better than nothing, but it is not Bible thanksgiving. It is not thanksgiving when we give thanks only on a public day because appointed by President or governor or church. It is well to remember God in harvest-time; but this alone is not true thanksgiving. True gratitude is ever responsive to all God’s blessings and mercies; for “they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.”
In the ancient vitalized service of God they stood “every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even.” The psalmist sings:—
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Him
Because of Thy righteous judgments.”
“I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
“O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.”
And thus it is that the apostle Paul breaks forth:—
“But thanks be unto God, which always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savour of His knowledge in every place.”
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.”
“Giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.”
But What of Trouble?
Thank God even for this; for see the assurance God has given: “And we know that to them that love God God worketh all things with them for good.” “Who worketh all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be unto the praise of His glory, we who have before hoped in Christ.”
Let come, then, what will, whether it be war or peace, famine or plenty, persecution or support, imprisonment or liberty, life or death, the Christian may be thankful to God, who will overrule all things for the glory of His name and the good of His people.
How to Give Thanks.
Not in words alone; for that were mere mockery. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.” “If a brother or sister be naked, and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.”
There is abundant opportunity to show our gratitude to God. Let children show theirs by relieving hard-worked, heavy-burdened fathers and mothers. Let the rich and well-to-do—those who have abundance, nay, more, those who have sufficient, remember the poor in their need. Let the hoarded dollars turn to the coin of heaven by being used to minister to God’s needy ones, physically and spiritually. Let the moody misanthrope, the society-cloyed men and women of wealth and fashion, find new sensations, new life, new joy, by visiting the poor and sick and needy in their wretched tenements under the shadows of their own gilded pinnacles and towers. They will find new cause for gratitude. Let them do this, not once a year, but “at all times,” that every day of the year—round of seasons may be a glad Thanksgiving Day to God.
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good.”
THE LORD OUR DELIVERER.
By T.
We have reached the season when the nation is asked to give thanks to God in a special manner. And while our hearts should be all the time overflowing with thankfulness that God is our bountiful Provider,—that He gives us abundant harvests,—there are other special reasons just now for thankfulness to our Father in heaven.
The world was never filled with so many perplexities and perils as it is to-day. There are rumors of wars from all the nations of earth, with a storm center just now of hostile conditions between England and France. And in all the international politics of the time there is a network of complications that will greatly endanger the peace of the whole world, in case any two of the leading nations go to war.
And while these nations are quarreling among themselves, there are internal strifes in each that make the situation still more perilous. The very wealthy are in one camp and the poor in another, and each is in deadly antagonism to the other; and, in consequence, strikes are numerous and violence is threatened.
The land is filled with vice and immorality. Drunkenness and debauchery are increasing, and murders and robberies are of constant occurrence.
Now how thankful we should be that the Lord has forewarned us of all this, by telling us that thus it would be in the last days? Some men’s hearts are “failing them for fear” as they look at the evils and perils that are coming on the earth, but we may know what these evils mean if we study the Word of God, and then with thankfulness praise Him for His foreknowledge, that has enabled Him to see and foretell these calamities in advance, and provide us a shelter that casts out all fear. Who can be afraid while viewing dangers—no matter how great—when those dangers were foretold centuries ago, and while the all-sufficient protection of Omnipotence is our harbor of safety.
With what thankfulness may we enjoy the fact that the Father in heaven is our Protector from all earth’s dangers. Even tho the perilous times of these last days are surrounding us with their worst pitfalls, God is our great Provider; we praise Him for the bounties of the7harvest. Our God also is our strong Deliverer; we praise Him for His mighty power to save. T.
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY AND THE LAW.
There are gifts of the Spirit of God which have been in active operation in the Christian church throughout the Christian age, such as pastors, teachers, helps, governments, ministries. But some of these gifts have been generally wanting, and if manifest, not generally recognized by the church. Among these is the gift of prophecy.
It has ever been the studied effort of Satan to counterfeit the work of God. Like the expert counterfeiter that he is, he will make the counterfeit as near like the genuine as he can and yet retain its essential badness and influence for evil. Whenever God has had the true gift of prophecy in His church, to warn, reprove, instruct, Satan has had his prophets, crying, “Peace, peace.”
It has ever been Satan’s effort to deceive people into believing that the law of God and the Spirit of God were antagonistic. The law is set in opposition to the Spirit, and the Spirit to the law, just as if God’s law, God’s rule of moral government, could be against His Spirit! And yet many not possessing the Spirit of God are led to believe this to be true. It is a deception of Satan to destroy souls. Those who have the Spirit are those in whom the “righteousness of the law” is fulfilled. Rom. 8:4.
The Spirit and the Law.
The law is a part of God’s Word, given by the Spirit. “All Scripture is God breathed.” “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” And so we might bring other evidences showing that the law of God is part of the Word of God, given by the Spirit. “For we know that the law is spiritual.” Men, in their inconsistency and blindness, may try to separate God from man, but they can not. They may try to separate the Spirit and the law, but they are as secure in their relation to each other and to God as the throne of the Eternal. It is by the Holy Ghost that “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts” (Rom. 5:5), and “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Jesus Christ possessed the Spirit in its fulness; and Jesus Christ kept perfectly the law of God. Ps. 40:7, 8.
The Reason Why.
The gift of prophecy was ever manifest among God’s people when His law was exalted. “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29:18, R.V. The obvious inference is that he who keeps the law regards the revelations of God by prophetic vision. “The law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.” Lam. 2:9. Again: “And when they [the false prophets] shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them [no light in them].” In reply to those who said, “Have we not prophesied in thy name?” Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness, law-breaking].” Matt. 7:23.
The reason is self-evident why God can give instructions through His prophets only when His law is fully recognized as the standard or test of teaching and action. The law is God’s compendium of morality, the sum of all moral precepts. Those who depart from it are left without chart or rudder. If a prophet arises, he is either false or true; and the church without the law can not test his claims by the Bible rule. If his message pleases the natural heart, he is received. If not, he is rejected. The voices of the prophets must be tested by God’s voice. God’s voice was pre-eminently uttered from Sinai. It was pre-eminently written in living characters in the life of Jesus Christ. If the law is the rule of the church, if Jesus Christ is the great Model, all prophets, all doctrines, will be tested by this perfect standard. God’s law thus becomes not only the detector of the counterfeit, but the assurance of the genuine.
In the Last Days.
In the last days the down-trodden law of God, covered with the slime of error, corruption, tradition, and paganism, the fruits of the Dark Ages, as well as perverted by papal teaching, will again be lifted up; the highway of holiness will be restored; and God will by the Spirit of prophecy call the people back to the path of His commandments. That they may not in their ignorance reject His message, He warns them, “Despise not prophesyings” (1 Thess. 5:20); but, that they may know that the voice is His voice, He admonishes, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (verse 21). And the eternal test is the law of the Ten Words of God as revealed through and in Jesus Christ.
This building up of the breach in God’s law, this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the restoration of its gifts, are necessary to the preparation of His people for His soon-coming. The remnant church will “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ,” “the Spirit of prophecy.” Rev. 12:17; 19:10. Keeping the one, she may know the other. “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” And the next event which the prophet sees is Christ coming to gather His own. Rev. 14:12, 14.
“BECAUSE INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND.”
By T.
In speaking of the days that immediately precede His second coming, the Lord says, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matt. 24:12. This text shows two very important facts,—that there will be an abounding of iniquity, and that the love of many will wax cold because of it.
Perhaps the unscriptural doctrine of a peace millennium just before the second coming of Christ has more to do in producing this coldness than any other one thing. The people at large have been taught that the world is getting better all the time. But in the actual reality of things they fail to see it. Instead of this worldwide peace and righteousness, they see that “iniquity is abounding,” and, not being able to harmonize the facts with their millennium ideas, they become indifferent, and love waxes cold.
It is perfectly natural for love to grow cold in the midst of iniquity. But what we are in the habit of calling “natural” in the acts of mankind is natural only to sin and a sinful state. The true nature that God gave to man in the beginning, and that He is seeking to restore to us, will “draw warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason.”
We see a man making high professions, but we know that his daily life is not at all in harmony with his pretensions. Then, instead of our summoning new courage to represent the true, and thus allow God to have witnesses who will overthrow the influence of the hypocrite, we allow our love to “wax cold.”
There is nothing so inspiring as to see a man standing true in the very midst of corruption and treason. Traitors are shaming him; they are offering him bribes, and they seek to weary his loyalty by their abounding evils and disgraceful acts. They would have him become discouraged so that he will say it is no use to hold out longer against the evil. Or, perhaps, he is thrown off his guard by constant association with sin, and gradually and imperceptibly love grows cold.
The text shows that it is the latter plan that Satan really works upon. “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Their love “waxes” cold. It does not become cold all at once, but “waxes” cold. By almost imperceptible degrees, sometimes, the daily contact with iniquity chills the love from the soul.
But God needs valiant soldiers in these times. Men are wanted who refuse to be influenced by anything except the good. How is your love? Is it waning? Is it “waxing cold”? The Saviour has forewarned us. Do not be among the many whose love “shall wax cold” “because iniquity shall abound.”
T.
Question Corner
“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”
885. When to Teach.
Would it be right for me to conduct a Sabbath-school, or Bible class on the first day of the week instead of the seventh day, the Sabbath? W. C. F.
We do not know whether it is right for our correspondent to conduct a Bible study at all. Of course he could not conduct a Sabbath-school on any other day than the Sabbath. Conducted on First-day, it is a First-day school. But if it is right for any one to teach the Bible on one day, it is right to teach it on all days. Physical food is as necessary on one day as another. Is not spiritual food? Let every true Christian improve every such opportunity of teaching the Word on any day or every day; “be instant in season, out of season.”
What was the manner of “casting lots,” as indicated in Acts 1:26? L. B.
Concerning the ancient manner of casting lots “we have no certain information,” says Schaff. “It is supposed by some that the stones or marks [on which were the names, which were used in determining the lot, were thrown together into the lap or fold of a garment, or into an urn or vase, and that the person holding them shook them violently,” so that they would be perfectly mingled, and the one who drew them would have no advantage. For Bible instructions and instances see 1 Sam. 14:41, 42; Jonah 1:7; Num. 26:55; Lev. 16:8; Ps. 22:18; 1 Chronicles 24, 25. It was always done by the faithful with reference to God and His interpretation. “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” Prov. 16:33.
THE TIME IS RIPE.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL wrote:—
“The time is ripe, a rotten ripe, for change.”
And so will the careful observer say as he views the world in the light of the pure morality of Jesus Christ. It is a common saying that one can not depend upon what a merchant, or grocer, or dealer of any kind, tells you who has wares to sell. You are told that a fabric is “all wool,” but a little wear proves it to be part cotton. A piece of goods is “warranted not to shrink,” but the first time it is dried after being wet, proves the assertion to be falsehood. There are noble exceptions, but they are indeed rare. It was not long ago when a clothing merchant, if asked, “Are these goods shoddy?” would, if such were the case, have responded promptly, “They are; that is the reason I can sell them at such a low price.” His word was good as gold so far as lay in his power to fulfil; he expected yours to be.
When you purchased butter of a farmer, you knew that it was not part oleomargarine. You knew your milk was not watered or “fixed.” You knew the apples at the bottom of the basket were as large and firm as those at the top.
If you purchased olive-oil, you knew it was not part cottonseed oil or lard. There were exceptions to this honest dealing, but they were the exception, not the rule. But now the exception is the honest man; the dishonest dealing is the rule.
The same thing is true in politics, in municipal life, in every kind and grade of public office. In religious circles, in sermons, in church discipline, the same spirit is manifest. Truly “the time is ripe, a rotten ripe.” All these things the Lord foretold us would come. The harvest is near. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” “Iniquity shall abound.” “Perilous times shall come” “In the last days,” perilous because twenty different sins are noted as being among those “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” “Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity can not enter.”
All these things are manifest. The next great event to the world is the reaping of the harvest by the coming of Jesus Christ. Rev. 14:14. Men may ridicule that coming, but just as truly as He was once upon earth, so truly shall the opening heavens reveal again the Son of God. Are you ready?
MOST DEADLY AND MOST HUMANE.
By T.
ON September 20 Mr. Hudson Maxim delivered an address before the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, on “High Explosives and Smokeless Powder and Their Applications in Warfare.” In the course of his remarks he said:—
“The most deadly and destructive implements of war are the most humane, and the producers of them may justly be looked upon as humanitarians. The best guarantee of peace is to be in a position to make a breach of it as undesirable as possible to an enemy. The greatest security against receiving heavy blows is to be in a position to strike them. Peace is made most secure by being prepared for war, by pushing to the highest state of development possible the weapons and means of offense.”
We notice this statement of Mr. Maxim’s because it represents an idea that has become quite prevalent. And we believe the notion never would have been thought of had it not been for the difficulty in harmonizing the doctrine of a dawning millennium of peace with the most colossal preparations for war that have ever been known.
The people have quite largely been led to think that the world is getting better and better. But the Bible plainly says that “evil men, and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13. The prophecy of the second chapter of Isaiah has been read and quoted extensively, but by human interpretation has been made to mean the exact opposite of what it says. The text reads as follows:—
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Isa. 2:2-5.
The foregoing scripture is plain, and it is also perfectly clear that it does not teach what is popularly attributed to it. In the first place, observe that the text tells us something that “shall come to pass in the last days.” Then notice that it is “many people” in these last days who “shall go and say” all these things about the beating of “swords into plowshares and spears into pruning-hooks,” and that “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
“Many people” are truly saying these things to-day. And thus the prophecy informs us it shall be in the “last days.” But take particular notice of the fact that God has not sent these many people to say such things. They are saying them entirely on their own responsibility. Immediately following these sayings of the “many people,” the prophet says:—
“Therefore Thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the East, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots; their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made; and the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself; therefore forgive them not.” Isa. 2:6-9.
Thus in these “last days,” while the “many people” are talking of beating “swords into plowshares” and “spears into pruning-hooks,” God says they are “soothsayers,” “they please themselves in the children of strangers,” “their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasure,” “their land also is full of idols, they worship the works of their own hands,” “and the mean man boweth down and the great man humbleth himself.” Thus does this scripture faithfully present God’s view of the actual condition of things when the people are talking such great peace.
It is absurd to say that the great engines of death that are being prepared will make for peace. The world was never so full as to-day of men who stand ready to fight. And the new forms of explosives, the highly-developed guns and battle-ships, instead of crushing out the spirit are only adding fuel to the prevailing passion for war.
T.
RESTRAIN US, LORD.
By F. T. Elkin
[He first maddens whom he would destroy.]
Lord of our lives and earthly joys,
Incline each wayward heart to Thee;
Restrain the madness that destroys
Our spark of immortality.
When seething thoughts outrage Thy Word,
Have mercy, O, have mercy, Lord!
Earth’s follies lure with conquering art,—
The blood beats warm, the senses surge,—
Sweet sin would nestle at the heart,
And self conspires with hell to urge.
Lord of our lives and earthly joys,
Restrain the madness that destroys.
Gross Dives bloated to his doom,
Yet prices crumbs to swell his worth;
The poor repine in want and gloom,
Or pawn “the Christ” for coin of earth.
O Love unutterably free,
Incline men’s hearts to charity!
Our hearts upraise a Juggernaut,
And worship o’er a wealth of slain;
We hoard a gold whereon is wrought
The Caesar’s stamp and brand of Cain.
Lord God, when flagrant greed alloys,
Restrain the madness that destroys.
Lest honor, once the boast of kings,
Become the bauble of the fool,
Lest words that knew Thee, be but things
To juggle with or ridicule,
God of the world-creative Word,
Restrain us, O, restrain us, Lord!
*
Heaven’s gate is draped with crape, and slow
Drips from the Christ the bloody price;
The thorns press on the anguished brow
Of the perpetual Sacrifice.
Sweet, suffering Saviour, raise the mist;
O, make us see and know “the Christ!”
F. T. Elkin.
Denver, Colo.
THE MORMON CHURCH AND POLYGAMY.
“POLYGAMY AGAIN A MENACE” is the title of an article by Eugene Young, in The Independent of October 20. The writer relates these charges of the Presbytery of Utah:—
“That the church has returned to politics and decided to govern the people in State affairs as in all other matters.
“That the church has decided to take charge of the State schools, and only Mormons or such non-Mormons as are willing to obey it, are to be trustees and teachers.
“That the Mormon people are being urged to live their religion, and, in consequence, one thousand children have been born in polygamy since Statehood was conferred.
“That church influence so affects men that witnesses are silent, juries refuse to find indictments, and officers refuse to make arrests.
“That persons who denounce this state of affairs are made to suffer in business and social affairs.”
He quotes Mormon writers who admit that relations have been resumed with plural wives, who were married before Utah became a State. But this is not all. Mr. Young says:—
“The question of the maintenance of polygamous marriages made years ago is not one to stir the religious people of America. If we had only to reckon with those we might safely shut our eyes and say to ourselves that patience would bring the end of the institution that has brought so much wo to Mormon women. But no longer than a year ago, when the Methodist ministers made substantially the same charges as are now made by the Presbytery, Angus M. Cannon, brother of George Q. Cannon—the real head of the church—and himself the president of the most important subdivision of Mormonsdom, declared that polygamy was still a belief of the Mormons, and that they did not practise it only because the law was against it and the church had promised to suppress it.”
As to the present possibilities and power of the church, Mr. Young concludes:—
“It is not going too far to say that whatever the church wills may now be done in Utah. The fact that no movement has been made to enforce the anti-polygamy law during three years of Statehood shows that the officers of the law stand in awe of the priesthood. But even should they attempt to do their duty, it is evident that they would receive little or no encouragement. No conviction for polygamy was ever made in Utah when there was a Mormon on the trial jury, and it is safe to believe that the rule would hold good now. Of course no elective officer would dare to form a jury without a Mormon upon it; and, therefore, the priesthood might solemnize polygamous marriages with impunity, knowing well that only some form of Federal interference not yet evolved could give life to the laws against it.”
A church which believes in a union of church and State, or church contest of politics, is not to be trusted with political power, and the true church of Jesus Christ will not seek it. If other denominations are to enter the political arena for the power or the spoils, give the Mormons a chance. The true position is that no church should have political power. “Indifference” is not only an evil as respects Mormonism, but as respects all other religious and church interference in politics.
Thanks for Sun and Dew
By Ida May Davis
GIVE thanks for sun and dew and love and flowers;
For dawn and eve, for life and labor’s quest;
Thanks for our need of youth, for rapturous hours,
For folded hands, and, best of all, for rest.
—Ida May Davis.
THE MORNING COMETH.
By Franc Remington
Long has the gloom of error’s night upon the earth been falling;
And long the world has waited in the clouds of sin and wrong;
Long has the cry of anguished hearts from stricken homes been calling,
Up to the listening ear of Him whose vengeance waiteth long.
But, tho His vengeance waiteth long, His love it faileth never;
And the good will surely triumph, and the right shall win alway;
For, lo! upon the mountain-tops the shafts of sunrise quiver,
And the past is flushing crimson with the dawning of the day.
O, ye who pray, have faith, for, lo! the world is surely waking!
Take courage, ye who toil “for God and home and native land.”
And ye whom wrong hath well-nigh slain, whose hearts are well-nigh breaking,
Lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption is at hand.
Soon, soon, your longing eyes shall see the Son of Truth ascending,
And the glory of His coming drive dark error’s night away;
Then you’ll cry in tones of rapture, hope and awe and gladness blending,
“Lo! our long, long night is over, and our day has dawned for aye.”
