Lyra Germanica: Second Series: The Christian Life

Hark, the Church proclaims her honour

And her strength is only this:

God hath laid His choice upon her,

And the work she doth is His.

He His Church hath firmly founded,

He will guard what He began;

We, by sin and foes surrounded,

Build her bulwarks as we can.

Frail and fleeting are our powers,

Short our days, our foresight dim,

And we own the choice not ours,

We were chosen first by Him.

Onward then! for nought despairing,

Calm we follow at His word,

Thus through joy and sorrow bearing

Faithful witness to our Lord.

Though we here must strive with weakness,

Though in tears we often bend,

What His might began in meekness

Shall achieve a glorious end.