Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 133

Then right shall over might prevail, And truth, like hero armed in mail, The hosts of tyrant wrong a.s.sail, And hold eternal sway.

2 What voice shall bid the progress stay Of truth's victorious car?

What arm arrest the growing day, Or quench the solar star?

What reckless soul, though stout and strong, Shall dare bring back the ancient wrong, Oppression's guilty night prolong, And freedom's morning bar?

3 The hour of triumph comes apace, The fated, promised hour, When earth upon a ransomed race Her bounteous gifts shall shower.

Ring, Liberty, thy glorious bell!

Bid high thy sacred banner swell!

Let trump on trump the triumph tell Of Heaven's redeeming power.

806. 6s. & 10s. M. Milton, Gardner, and Dwight.

Peace.

1 No war nor battle's sound Was heard the earth around,-- No hostile chiefs to furious combat ran; But peaceful was the night In which the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began.

2 No conqueror's sword he bore, Nor warlike armor wore, Nor haughty pa.s.sions roused to contest wild; In peace and love he came, And gentle was the reign, Which o'er the earth he spread by influence mild.

3 Unwilling kings obeyed, And sheathed the battle blade, And called their b.l.o.o.d.y legions from the field; In silent awe they wait, And close the warrior's gate, Nor know to whom their homage thus they yield.

4 The peaceful conqueror goes, And triumphs o'er his foes, His weapons drawn from armories above; Behold the vanquished sit Submissive at his feet, And strife and hate are changed to peace and love.

807. 6s. & 4s. M. E. Davis.

For an Anniversary Meeting of the Friends of Peace.

1 Not with the flas.h.i.+ng steel-- Not with the cannon's peal, Or stir of drum, But in the bonds of love; Our white flag floats above, Her emblem is the dove, 'Tis thus we come.

2 The laws of Christian light, These are our weapons bright, Our mighty s.h.i.+eld; Christ is our leader high, And the broad plains which lie Beneath the blessed sky, Our battle field.

3 On, then, in G.o.d's great name, Let each pure spirit's flame Burn bright and clear: Stand firmly in your lot, Cry ye aloud, "Doubt not,"

Be every fear forgot, Christ leads us here.

4 So shall Earth's distant lands In happy, holy bands, One brotherhood, Together rise and sing, And joyful offerings bring, And Heaven's Eternal King p.r.o.nounce it _good_.

808. C. M. Gibbons.

Prayer for Universal Peace.

1 Lord, send thy word, and let it run, Armed with thy Spirit's power; Ten thousand shall confess its sway, And bless the saving hour.

2 Beneath the influence of thy grace The barren wastes shall rise, With sudden greens and fruits arrayed, A blooming paradise.

3 True holiness shall strike its root In each regenerate heart, Shall in a growth divine arise, And heavenly fruits impart.

4 Peace, with her olives crowned, shall stretch Her wings from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e; No trump shall rouse the rage of war, Nor murderous cannon roar.

5 Lord, for those days we wait;--those days Are in thy word foretold; Fly swifter, sun and stars, and bring This promised age of gold!

809. C. M. Anonymous.

The Gospel of Peace.

1 Joy to the earth! the Prince of Peace His banner has unfurled; Let strife, and sin, and error cease, And joy pervade the world!

2 Praise ye the Lord! for truth and grace His word and life display; Let every soul his love embrace, And own its gentle sway.

3 Peace on the earth, good will to men, Embraced the Gospel plan; Let that sweet strain be heard again, Which angel-tones began.

4 Joy to the isles and lands afar, Messiah reigns above; Let every eye behold the star, The star of light and love.

810. C. M. Mrs. Livermore.

Peace.

1 No warlike sounds awoke the night, Announcing Jesus' birth, But angels borne on wings of light, Who chanted "Peace to earth!"

2 Not in the warrior's armor mailed Was Christ the Saviour found; Not striving, when by wrath a.s.sailed Not with the laurel crowned.

3 But meek and lowly was his life, The gentle Prince of Peace, Whose law condemns the hostile strife, And bids dissensions cease.

4 Then let the war-cry ne'er be rung Beneath the smiling sky, Nor to the clouds the banner flung That tells of victory.

5 But let the blissful period haste, When, hushed the cannon's roar, The sword shall cease mankind to waste, And war shall be no more.

811. C. M. Anonymous.