297. From Greenland's icy mountains

1 From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand;
Where Afric's bright fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.

2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle;
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown:
The heathen, in his blindness,
Bows down to wood and stone.

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learned Messiah's Name.

4 Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.

Text Information
First Line: From Greenland's icy mountains
Author: Reginald Heber (1823)
Meter: 7, 6.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1890
Topic: The Church: Missions
Notes: Alternate tune: #305 or #588
Tune Information
Name: MISSIONARY HYMN
Meter: 7, 6.
Key: E Major
Notes: Composer from index: Dr. L. Mason, d. 1872



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