Text:Once to Every Man and Nation
Author:James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891
Tune:EBENEZER
Composer:Thomas J. Williams, 1869-1944

455. Once to Every Man and Nation

1 Once to ev'ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's new messiah,
Off'ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

2 By the light of burning martyrs,
Jesus' bleeding feet I track,
Toiling up new Calv'ries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

3 Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong,
Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne.
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.

Text Information
First Line: Once to every man and nation
Title: Once to Every Man and Nation
Author: James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891 (alt.)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2007
Scripture:
Topic: Courage; Justice; Memorial Occasions (3 more...)
Tune Information
Name: EBENEZER
Composer: Thomas J. Williams, 1869-1944
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Key: f minor
Copyright: Public Domain



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