606   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 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 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
Keepin watch above His own.