Words: (1838-1933).

Music: Chenies, , 1855.

If you know know when this hymn was writ­ten, or where to find a pho­to of Ben­ja­min Rad­ford


In homes where pride and splendor
Their silken banners flare,
In homes where childhood tender
Is crushed by every care,
Is heard the cry of anguish
From many a helpless slave,
Where Satan’s captives languish,
And only Christ can save.

What tho’ our flag in glory
Floats over freedom’s land,
While degradation’s story
Is writ on every hand,
While in the marts of labor,
In lordly halls of state,
The Christlike love of neighbor
Is lost in greed and hate?

Shall we, to whom is given
For sin the only cure,
Vouchsafed to earth by Heaven,
While nations shall endure;
Shall we, in this her trial,
Forget our nation’s weal,
Endure no self denial,
Be wanting in our zeal?

O God, whilst evil lowers
In clouds of sin and shame,
May these cold hearts of ours
Burst into living flame,
To light and lead our nation
In this her time of need,
Until in Christ’s salvation
She shall be free indeed.