BRETHREN, while we sojourn here,
Fight we must, but should not fear;
Foes we have, but we've a friend,
One that loves us to the end.
Forward, then, with courage go;
Long we shall not dwell below;
Soon the joyful news will come,
Child, your Father calls, come home!"
2 In the way a thousand snares
Lie, to take us unawares;
Satan, with malicious art,
Watches each unguarded part:
But, from Satan's malice free,
Saints shall soon victorious be;
Soon the joyful news will come,
Child, your Father calls, come home!"
3 But of all the foes we meet,
None so oft mislead our feet,
None betray us into sin
Like the foes that dwell within ;
Yet let nothing spoil our peace,
Christ shall also conquer these;
Soon the joyful news will come,
"Child, your Father calls, come home!"
FIGHT the good fight with all thy might, Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
2 Run the straight race through God's good
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
3 Cast care aside, upon thy guide
Lean, and his mercy will provide;
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
4 Faint not nor fear, his arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear:
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.
FAINT not, christian! though the road,
Leading to thy blest abode,
Darksome be, and dangerous too,
Christ thy guide will bring thee through.
2 Faint not, christian! though in rage
Satan would thy soul engage,
Gird on faith's anointed shield,
Bear it to the battle-field.
3 Faint not, christian! though the world
Has its hostile flag unfurled
Hold the cross of Jesus fast,
Thou shalt overcome at last.
4 Faint not, christian! though within
There's a heart so prone to sin;
Christ, the Lord, is over all;
He'll not suffer thee to fall.
5 Faint not, christian! Jesus near
Soon in glory will appear;
And his love will then bestow
Power to conquer every foe.
6 Faint not, christian! look on high;
See the harpers in the sky:
Patient wait, and thou wilt join-
Chant with them of love divine.
MOURN for the thousands slain,
The youthful and the strong;
Mourn for the wine-cup's fatal reign,
And the deluded throng.
2 Mourn for the tarnished gem;
For reason's light divine,
Quenched from the soul's bright diadem,
Where God hath bid it shine.
3 Mourn for the ruined soul;
Eternal life and light
Lost by the fiery, maddening bowl,
And turned to hopeless night.
4 Mourn for the lost: but call,
Call to the strong, the free;
Rouse them to shun that dreadful fall,
And to the refuge flee.
5 Mourn for the lost: but pray,
Pray to our God above,
To break the fell destroyer's sway,
And show his saving love.
'Tis thine alone, almighty name!
To raise the dead to life,
The lost inebriate to reclaim
From passion's fearful strife.
2 What ruin hath intemperance wrought!
How widely roll its waves!
How many myriads hath it brought
To fill dishonored graves!
3 And see, O Lord, what numbers still
Are maddened by the bowl;
Led captive, at the tyrant's will,
In bondage, heart and soul!
4 Stretch forth thy hand, O God, our king!
And break the galling chain;
Deliverance to the captive bring,
And end the usurper's reign.
5 The cause of temperance is thine own;
Our plans and efforts bless;
We trust, O Lord, in thee alone,
To crown them with success.
JESUS Christ, thou leading-star,
Thy great name we praise and hallow;
From believers be it far
Any other guide to follow;
Thou, Lord, if we walk in light,
Wilt direct our steps aright.
2 Christians are not here below
To enjoy earth's transient treasure ;
After Christ they're called to go,
His reproach they count a pleasure;
Under manifold distress,
Through the narrow gate they press.
How great at last my joy will be,
If I have faithful provéd
To Christ, and 'mid adversity
Till my last breath him lovéd;
They who reproach here bear,
In heaven a crown shall wear;
Who follow Christ are truly blest,
For they with him shall ever rest.
WE Covenant with hand and heart,
To follow Christ, our Lord;
With world, and sin, and self to part,
And to obey his word;
To love each other heartily,
In truth and in sincerity,
And under cross, reproach and shame,
To glorify his name.
BEHOLD the throne of grace,
The promise calls me near,
There Jesus shows a smiling face,
And waits to answer prayer.
2 That rich, atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round I see,
Provides for those who come to God
An all-prevailing plea.
3 My soul, ask what thou wilt,
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since his own blood for thee he spilt,
What else can he withhold?
4 Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and power can bless;
To praying souls he always grants
More than they can express.
5 Since 't is the Lord's command,
Lord, open thou thy bounteous hand,
That I may be supplied.
6 My soul, believe and pray,
Without a doubt believe:
Whate'er we ask in God's own way,
We surely shall receive.
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