The Hymnal of The Evangelical United Brethren Church ‎#376

376. Once to Every Man and Nation

1 Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some new decision,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
Twixt that darkness and that light.

2 By the light of burning martyrs,
Jesus' bleeding feet I track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

3 Tho' the cause of evil prosper,
Yet 'tis truth alone is strong;
Tho' her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Once to every man and nation
• Title: Once to Every Man and Nation
• Author: James Russell Lowell (1845)
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. D.
• Publication Date: 1957
• Scripture:
  Joshua 24:15
  ;
  John 18:37-38

Tune Information

• Name: TON-Y-BOTEL
• Composer: Thomas J. Williams (1890)
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. D.
• Key: f minor
• Source: Welsh Hymn Melody