Church Book ‎#297

297. From Greenland's icy mountains

1 From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand;
Where Afric's bright fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.

2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle;
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown:
The heathen, in his blindness,
Bows down to wood and stone.

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learned Messiah's Name.

4 Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.

Text Information

• First Line: From Greenland's icy mountains
• Author: Reginald Heber (1823)
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Church: Missions
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tune: #305 or #588

Tune Information

• Name: MISSIONARY HYMN
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Key: E Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Composer from index: Dr. L. Mason, d. 1872