Christian Hymn of Triumph. While faith each fervent spirit fills, Arise! with hope and triumph crowned! Till banded hosts come surging round!' * Our God! we come at thy commands ;- No swords are in our peaceful hands,— 89 Vowed to the cause of awful TRUTH, Christian Hymn of Triumph. LV. HENRY HART MILMAN. SING to the Lord! let harp, and lute, and voice, Up to the expanding gates of heaven rejoice, *Now let not the frowns of men, and their flatteries, put you from your duty. Keep up your societies, and the assembling of yourselves together, for there is much profit to be found in it.' Marion Harvie. 90 Christian Hymn of Triumph. While the bright martyrs to their rest are borne ! Sing to the Lord! their blood-stained course is run, And every head its diadem hath won, Rich as the purple of the summer mornSing the the triumphant champions of their God, While burn their mountain feet along their skyward road. In reading and singing hymns of triumph and martyrdom, our minds receive a general idea of something high and heroic: it would be well if our ideas of the why were more definite, and that we looked on such actions more as matters of simple duty, than with an idle admiration, which might have been positive condemnation had they been performed in our own day. I have always derived benefit from reading the dying testimony of Marion Harvie, who suffered for the truth in Scotland in 1681, and subjoin a few extracts here, because the book in which I find it is a very rare one in America : 'Christian friends and acquaintances, I being to lay down my life on Wednesday next, January 26, 1681, I thought fit to let it be known to the world wherefore I lay down my life; and to let it be seen that I die not as a fool, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters. No; It is for adhering to the truths of Jesus Christ, and avowing him to be King in Zion, and head of his Church; and the testimony against the ungodly laws of men, and their robbing Christ of his right and usurping his prerogative royal, which I durst not but testify against; and I bless his holy name that ever be called me to bear witness against the sins of the times, and the defections of ministers and professors. I leave my testimony against all the bloodshed and massacres of the Lord's people, either on scaffolds or in fields. I protest against banishings, and finings, and cruel murderings. I leave my testimony against the professors who say this is not the truth of God for which I suffer, and call the way of God delusion, and make it their business to Christian Hymn of Triumph. 91 Sing to the Lord! for her, in beauty's prime, Before earth's throne she chose the lowly tomb, make me deny Christ, and betake myself to the ungodly laws of men, and call the truths of God delusions, which I am to seal with my blood and I rejoice that ever he counted me worthy so to do. Which truths ministers and professors have counted it prudence to disown and deny, for which the land will be made to mourn and sorely to smart, e'er all be done. I desire all those that are endeavoring to contend for Christ and his truths, that they would be faithful in their witnessing for him, and eschew the least appearance of sin. For I, a dying witness of Christ, attest you, as ye will answer when you stand before him in the day of your appearance, that ye be faithful in owning him in all his truths, and not yield a hoof to ungodly, perjured, bloody, and excommunicated tyrants; for there is much advantage to be had in faithfulness to Christ. That I may set my seal to the truth of; and I think he is taking a narrow view of his followers at this time; for there are few that yield a hair-breadth of the truths of God, that readily win to their feet again; but go from one degree of defection to another. And again I desire to bless and magnify the Lord. I bless him that the thoughts of death are not terrible to me. And now ye that are his witnesses, be not afraid to adventure upon the cross of Christ. They said there was but a few of us for these principles. I said they had all the fault of it; and it was most bitter to us, that our ministers had spoken against these truths, and, indeed, I think they had not been so cruel to me, were it not for these ministers; and so I think our ministers are not free of our blood; for when they spoke against us, and the WAY, [measures ?] it hardened these bloody traitors, and emboldened them to take our lives.' M. W. C. 92 Christian Hymn of Triumph. The vale of tears with willing footsteps trod, Bearing her cross with thee, incarnate Son of God. Sing to the Lord! it is not shed in vain, The nations crowd beneath its branching shade, And, wrapt within its deep, embosoming calm, Earth sinks to slumber like the breezeless deep, And war's tempestuous vultures fold their wings and sleep. Sing to the Lord! no more the angels fly- The sound of fierce, licentious sacrifice. Heedless, in dust, the awe of nations lies; Jove's thunder crumbles in his mouldering hand, And mute as sepulchres the hymnless temples stand. Sing to the Lord! from damp, prophetic cave No more the loose-haired Sybils burst and rave; Christian Hymn of Triumph. 93 Nor watch the augurs pale the wandering bird: No more on hill or in the murky wood, Mid frantic shout and dissonant music rude, In human tones are wailing victims heard; Nor fathers, by the reeking altar stone, Cowl their dark heads to escape their children's dying groan. Sing to the Lord! no more the dead are laid To sleep the eternal sleep, that knows no morn: There, eager still to burst death's brazen bands, The angel of the resurrection stands; While, on its own immortal pinions borne, Following the breaker of the imprisoning tomb, Forth springs the exulting soul, and shakes away its gloom. Sing to the Lord! the desert rocks break out, And the thronged cities in one gladdening shout, The farthest shores by pilgrim step explored; Spread all your wings, ye winds, and waft around, Even to the starry cope's pale waning bound, Earth's universal homage to the Lord; Lift up thine head, imperial capitol, Proud on thy height to see the bannered cross unroll. |