Author: James Russell Lowell Hymnal: Hymns from the Four Winds #82 (1983) Topics: The Christian Life Justice and Human Rights; Responses to God Commitment; Jesus Christ Passion and Crucifixion; The Christian Life Affirmation and Truth; The Christian Life Discipleship, Service, and Mission; The Christian Life Liberation and Justice; The Christian Life Life, Death, and Parting; Light and Darkness; People of Faith The Saints First Line: Once to ev'ry man and nation Lyrics: 1 Once to ev'ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with 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 Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And 'tis prosp'rous to be just;
Then it is the brave one chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.
3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, your bleeding feet we 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.
4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet 'tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own. Scripture: Romans 8:37 Languages: English Tune Title: TYZEN
Once to Every Man and Nation
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