The Worshipbook ‎#540

540. Once to Every Man and Nation

1 Once to every 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,
Offering 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 prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man 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 Calvaries 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,
Stands our God within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Once to every man and nation
• Title: Once to Every Man and Nation
• Author: James Russell Lowell (1845, alt.)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  Joshua 24:14-15
• Topic: Service for the Lord's Day: After Creed; Service for the Lord's Day: Conclusion of Worship; Christian Year: Good Friday; Other Observances: Reformation Day; Other Observances: Stewardship

Tune Information

• Name: EBENEZER (TON-Y-BOTEL)
• Composer: Thomas John Williams (1890)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Key: f minor
• Copyright: Music copyright by Gwenlyn Evans, Ltd.; used by permission.