By faith they stood, the sires of old As rocks in restless sea; Or knew to tame the raging flame As they went gloriously: A witness-cloud - illustrious crowd - A heavenly company. And, pilgrim! what the path to-day That leads to victory? Not steel and flame, but grief and shame And patient toil for thee; But a higher part by God's own heart Thy guerdon bright shall be!
A crowning gift of joy and love Hath been reserved for thee! In that full height of God's own light Thy quickened heart must be! Then on, through shame, through steel or flame, On, on to victory!
