And Is The Time Approaching?

And is the time approaching,

By prophets long foretold,

When all shall dwell together,

One Shepherd and one fold?

Shall every idol perish,

To moles and bats be thrown,

And every prayer be offered

To God in Christ alone?

Shall Jew and Gentile, meeting

From many a distant shore,

Around one altar kneeling,

One common Lord adore?

Shall all that now divides us

Remove, and pass away

Like shadows of the morning

Before the blaze of day?

Shall all that now unites us

More sweet and lasting prove,

A closer bond of union

In a blest land of love?

Shall war be learned no longer,

Shall strife and tumult cease;

All earth His blessèd kingdom,

The Lord and Prince of Peace?

O long expected dawning,

Come with Thy cheering ray;

When shall the morning brighten,

The shadows flee away?

O sweet anticipation!

It cheers the watchers on

To pray, and hope, and labor,

Till the dark night be gone.