Hymnal: The Christian Hymn Book
Date: 1865
Compiler: Alexander Campbell
Publisher/Printer: Central Book Concern
First Line: Great was the day the joy was great
Topic: The Gospel/The Proclamation
Writer: <no first name given> Watts
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 269
Page Number: 167, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsGreat was the day, the joy was great
When the belov'd disciples met;
And on their heads the Spirit came,
And sat like tongues of cloven flame.
What gifts, what miracles he gave!
The power to kill, the power to save,
Furnish'd their tongues with wond'rous words,
Instead of shields, and spears, and swords.
Thus arm'd, he sent the champions forth,
From east to west, from south to north:
Go, and assert your Saviour's cause --
Go, spread the myst'ry of his cross!
These weapons of the holy war,
Of what almighty force they are
TO make our stubborn passions bow,
And lay the proudest rebel low!
The Greeks and Jews, the learn'd and rude,
Are by these heav'nly arms subdued;
While Satan rages at his loss,
And hates the doctrine of the cross.