The Reformer's Vow

(An anti-Abolitionist broadside from 1837)

This from the 1865 edition of Hymns of the Spirit (see post on October 19th), written by Samuel Johnson to be sung at "Reform Meetings":

The Reformer's Vow

God of the earnest heart,

The trust assured and still,

Thou who our strength forever art,-

We come to do Thy will

Upon that painful road

By saints serenely trod,

Whereon their hallowing influence flowed,

Would we go forth, O God!

Gainst doubt and shame and fear

In human hearts to strive,

That all may learn to love and bear,

To conquer self and live;

To draw Thy blessing down

And bring the wronged redress,

And give this glorious world its crown

The Spirit's Godlikeness.

No dreams from toil to charm

No trembling on the tongue,-

Lord, in Thy rest may we be calm,

Through Thy completeness, strong!

Thou hearest while we pray;

O deep within us write,

With kindling power, our God, to-day,

Thy word,-On earth be light!

Amen