"Forward" Be Our Watchword

 

"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
-Leroy Satchell Paige

"Like A Mighty Army Moves The Church Of God"

Cecily Mary Barker

(1895-1973)

English illustrator

"Forward!" be our watch word,

Steps and voices joined;

Seek the things before us

Not a look behind:

Burn the fiery pillar

At our army's head;

Who shall dream of shrinking,

By Jehovah lead?

Forward through the desert,

Through the toil and fight;

Jordan flows before us,

Zion beams with light.

Glories upon glories

Hath our God prepared,

By the souls that love Him

One day to be shared;

Eye hath not beheld them,

Ear hath never heard:

Nor of these hath uttered

Thought or speech or word.

Forward, marching eastward

Where heaven is bright,

Till the veil be lifted,

Till our faith be sight.

Far o'er yon horizon

Rise the city towers,

Where our God abideth;

That fair home is ours:

Flash the streets with jasper,

Shine the gates with gold;

Flows the gladdening river,

Shedding joys untold.

Thither onward, thither,

In Jehovah's might;

Pilgrims to your country,

Forward into light!

To the Father's glory

Loudest anthems raise,

To the Son, and Spirit,

Echo songs of praise,

To the Lord Jehovah,

Blessed Three in One,

Be by men and angels

Endless honor done.

Weak are earthly praises,

Dull the songs of night:

Forward into triumph,

Forward into light!

Amen.

"Forward" Be Our Watchword"
(1871)
Reverend Henry Alford
(1810-1871)
English theologian and hymn writer