Words'nTone

On Martin Luther King’s celebrated Birthday, I am hesitant posting James Lowell’s song, “One to every man and nation,” because some might think I do so to “protest” the our military or the fighting on foreign soils, or in some way want others to think I take an opposing position to a strong national policy on the War (yes I said it War) on Terrorism.  I do not.  Lowell did write this well known hymn, however, to protest America’s war with Mexico in 1845; and, Martin Luther King quoted in a speech given to protest the War in Vietnam (two days before he, himself, fell victim to an assassin’s bullet.  I do post it to remind us that truth can be awfully hidden from us and it seems that God must work in the shadows.  Just read the song, the words, and think of the greater, the so much greater war between truth and falsehood that exists around us everyday.  And, think of how the poles have been reversed in our culture where right (or righteousness or truth) is spun as wrong or incorrect or politically incorrect, and where wrong (unrighteousness or falsehood) is triumphed as freeing, independent, and progressive.

   Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,
   In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;
   Some great cause, some great decision, offering each
      the bloom or blight,
   And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and
      that light.
   Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her
      wretched crust,
   Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and ’tis prosperous to
      be just;
   Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands
      aside,
   Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.
   By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet
      we track,
   Toiling up new Calv’ries ever with the cross that turns not
      back;
   New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient
      good uncouth,
   They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast
      of truth.
   Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong;
   Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne
      be wrong;
   Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim
      unknown,
   Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.
        ~James Russell Lowell, published in the
           Boston Courier, December 11, 1845

Many yesterday, as well as in gatherings today, will sing Lowell’s song.  I continue to be touched by the words.  Though the causes that stem from evil seem to prosper, truth will triumph in the end.  We live truth on the cross and falsehood on our thrones (or political offices).  But still, God, although hidden in the shadows, keeps watch.  Christ on the cross; Ceasar on the throne.  Mismatched.  But we dare give up hope, and find ways to join God—in those shadows, righting wrongs, and bringing righteousness in the midst of the darkness of unrighteousness.  That is why I post the song.  This should be ingrained in the Church’s mission.