184. Be Strong!
In these days of long nights and short days, of tragedy alive, and controversy raging—I find myself thinking of this old hymn entitled “Be Strong!” It was in the 1905 Methodist Hymnal. It was written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, born in 1858 who became a Presbyterian minister, was a preacher of some note, and died when he was 42. Read it over. It speaks to me.
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Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift,
Shun not the struggle, face it, ‘tis God’s gift.
Be strong, be strong!
—
Be strong!
Say not the days are evil—who’s to blame?
And hold the hands and acquiesce—O shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God’s name.
Be strong, be strong!
—
Be strong!
It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day, how long;
Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.
Be strong, be strong!
