Eternal Father, Thou Hast Said

Eternal Father, Thou hast said

That Christ all glory shall obtain;

That He Who once a suff'rer bled

Shall o'er the world a conqu'ror reign.

We wait Thy triumph, Savior King,

Long ages have prepared Thy way;

Now all abroad Thy banner fling,

Set time's great battle in array.

Thy hosts are mustered to the field;

"The Cross! the Cross!" the battle call;

The old grim towers of darkness yield,

And soon shall totter to their fall.

On mountain tops the watch fires glow,

Where scattered wide the watchmen stand;

Voice echoes voice, and onward flow

The joyous shouts from land to land.

Oh, fill the Church with faith and power!

Bid her long nights of weeping cease;

To groaning nations haste the hour

Of life and freedom, light and peace.

Come, Spirit, make Thy wonders known,

Fulfill the Father's high decree;

Then earth, the might of hell o'er thrown,

Shall keep her last great jubilee.