Ministry, Glorious Task

Verse 1

How beauteous on the mountains,
The feet of him that brings,
Like streams from living fountains,
Good tidings of good things;
That publisheth salvation,
And jubilee release,
To ev’ry tribe and nation,
God’s reign of joy and peace.

Verse 2

Lift up thy voice, oh, watchman!
And shout from Zion’s towers,
Thy hallelujah chorus--
“The victory is ours!”
The Lord shall build up Zion
In glory and renown,
And Jesus, Judah’s lion,
Shall wear his rightful crown.

Verse 3

Break forth in hymns of gladness;
Oh, waste Jerusalem!
Let songs, instead of sadness,
Thy jubilee proclaim;
The Lord in strength victorious,
Upon thy foes hath trod;
Behold, oh, earth! the glorious
Salvation of our God.

Verse 1

Onward, onward, men of heaven
Bear the gospel’s banner high;
Rest not, till its light is given,
Star of every pagan sky:
Send it where the pilgrim stranger
Paints beneath the torrid ray;
Bid the red-browed forest-ranger
Hail it, ere he fades away.

Verse 2

Rude in speech, or grim in feature,
Dark in spirit, though they be,
Show that light to every creature--
Prince or vassal, bond or free:
Lo! they haste to every nation:
Host on host the ranks supply:
Onward! Christ is your salvation,
And your death is victory.