Christian Church, Progress of

Verse 1

Church of the ever-living God,
The Father’s gracious choice,
Amid the voices of this earth
How feeble is thy voice!

Verse 2

Not many rich or noble called,
Not many great or wise:
They whom God makes his kings and priests
Are poor in human eyes.

Verse 3

But the chief Shepherd comes at length;
Their feeble days are o’er,
No more a handful in the earth,
A little flock no more.

Verse 1

Daughter of Zion, from the dust
Exalt thy fallen head;
Again in thy Redeemer trust--
He calls thee from the dead.

Verse 2

Awake, awake, put on thy strength,
Thy beautiful array;
The day of freedom dawns at length--
The Lord’s appointed day.

Verse 3

Rebuild thy walls, thy bounds enlarge,
And send thy heralds forth;
Say to the South, Give up thy charge!
And, Keep not back, O North!

Verse 4

They come, they come; thine exiled bands,
Where’er they rest or roam,
Have heard thy voice in distant lands,
And hasten to their home.

Verse 1

Zion, dreary and in anguish,
‘Mid the desert hast thou strayed!
Oh, thou weary, cease to languish;
Jesus shall lift up thy head.
Still lamenting and bemoaning,
‘Mid thy follies and thy woes!
Soon repenting and returning,
All thy solitude shall close.

Verse 2

Though benighted and forsaken,
Though afflicted and distressed;
His almighty arm shall waken;
Zion’s King shall give thee rest:
Cease thy sadness, unbelieving;
Soon his glory shalt thou see!
Joy and gladness, and thanksgiving,
And the voice of melody!