Hymnal: The Christian Hymn Book
Date: 1865
Compiler: Alexander Campbell
Publisher/Printer: Central Book Concern
First Line: Onward onward men of heaven
Topic: Times and Seasons/Missionary Assemblies
Writer: <no first name given> Sigourney
Composer:
Meter: 8s and 7s
Tune:
Hymn Number: 1275
Page Number: 762, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsOnward, onward, men of heaven!
Bear the gospel banner high;
Rest not till its light is given-
Star of ev'ry pagan sky:
Send it where the pilgrim stranger
Faints beneath the torrid ray;
Bid the hearty forest ranger
Hail it ere he fades away.
Where the Arctic ocean thunders,
Where the tropics fiercely glow,
Broadly spread its page of wonders,
Brightly bid its radiance flow;
India marks its luster stealing;
Shiv'ring Greenland loves its rays,
Africa 'mid her deserts kneeling.
Lifts the untaught strain of praise.
Rude in speech, or wild in feature,
Dark in spirit, though they be,
Show that light to ev'ry creature-
Prince or vassal, bond or free;
Lo! they haste to ev'ry nation;
Host on host the ranks supply:
Onward! Christ is your salvation,
And your death is victory.