1 O young and fearless Prophet
Of ancient Galilee,
Thy life is still a summons
To serve humanity;
To make our thoughts and actions
Less prone to please the crowd,
To stand with humble courage
For truth with hearts uncowed.
2 We marvel at the purpose
That held Thee to Thy course
While ever on the hilltop
Before Thee loomed the cross;
Thy steadfast face set forward
Where love and duty shone,
While we betray so quickly
And leave Thee there alone.
3 O help us stand unswerving
Against war’s bloody way,
Where hate and lust and falsehood
Hold back Christ’s holy sway;
Forbid false love of country
That blinds us to His call,
Who lifts above the nations
The unity of all.
4 Stir up in us a protest
Against our greed for wealth,
While others starve and hunger
And plead for work and health;
Where homes with little children
Cry out for lack of bread,
Who live their years sore burdened
Beneath a gloomy dread.
5 Create in us the splendor
That dawns when hearts are kind,
That knows not race nor station
As boundaries of the mind;
That learns to value beauty,
In heart, or brain, or soul,
And longs to bind God’s children
Into one perfect whole.
6 O young and fearless Prophet,
We need Thy presence here,
Amid our pride and glory
To see Thy face appear;
Once more to hear Thy challenge
Above our noisy day,
Again to lead us forward
Along God’s holy way.