1 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, God's new Messiah,
offering each the bloom or blight —
and the choice goes by for ever
'twixt that darkness and that light.

2 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 one chooses,
while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, thy bleeding feet we track
toiling up new Calvaries 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.

4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet 'tis 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.