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THE TRIAL HOUR

EPH. 6:10-18

The “hour of temptation” has come to the Church,
The time of her testing is here,
And storm-clouds of ominous portent roll up,
Betokening the tempest is near.

The carnage grows fiercer ‘twixt error and truth,
The hosts of the foe press around
As the day waxes late and the shadows grow long,
And their tauntings and boastings abound.

And many who fought in the ranks by our side,
Have been pierced by the enemy’s dart;
Their “shield” and their “helmet” lie prone in the dust,
And the “arrow” has smitten their heart.

Their arm lost its cunning in wielding the “sword,”
Their “breastplate” was loosed from its place,
The “helmet” was lost and the shafts of the foe
Smote them down and they sank in disgrace.

O, dear fellow-soldiers! O brethren in Christ!
Let us gird up our “armor” anew!
Let us heed the sure Word of our leader and “Head”
And be loyal and steadfast and true.

The night hastens on—only one hour to fight;
No thought now of wavering nor fear;
Our Captain calls, “Onward!” then close up the ranks,
For the hour of our victory is near.

Courage, comrades! The banner of truth waves aloft;
No such banner was ever unfurled!
We will follow its lead e’en thro’ carnage and blood,
For by it we shall conquer the world!

Tho’ feet may grow weary and hearts throb with pain,
Let us never give up in the fray;
Our Captain is strong and can know no defeat,
And will guide to the end of the way.

Soon the fight will be over, the conflict be past,
And the “roll-call” will sound thro’ the sky,
Will you answer your name? Shall I answer to mine?
Can we gladly respond: “Here am I!”

O, God of the battle, our Father, to Thee
With strong supplication we cry!
The conflict is deadly and wily our foe,
Yet we know that deliverance is nigh.

And thou who hast guided and led all the way
Wilt guide ’till the victory is won,
‘Till the night is all spent and the glad day has dawned,
And we hear thy sweet plaudit, “Well done!”

ALICE G. JAMES.

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— September 15, 1910 —