Methodist-Hymns-898
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, some great decision,
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, Thy 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 the 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.
