pathway

pathway
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon,
My script of joy, immortal diet,
M
y bottle of salvation.
My gown of glory, hopes true gauge,
And thus I'll take my pilgrimage.

~Sir Walter Raleigh

A hiker, walking for pleasure, likes to choose between several alluring trails.
The pilgrim desires only the road that leads home.

~Frank W. Boreham


Sunday, July 4, 2010

He also wrote~

Certainly we owe a debt of gratitude to Francis Scott Key. We sing the anthem he gave us with lumps in throat, with tears in eyes. At least that is always my response.

This man, a lawyer by profession was also a poet. He was a man of God who promoted all things that furthered the Word of God being in the hands of the people.

Among his many fine writings is, in part, the following. (This hymn was recently introduced to me by my leading music mentor, favorite worship leader and brilliant hymn writer in his own right, JBD.)



...
To heav'n's high King,
The nation Thou hast blest
May well Thy love declare,
From foes and fears at rest,
Protected by Thy care.
For this fair land,
For this bright day,
Our thanks we pay..

A grateful song!
Earth, hear thy Maker's voice,
Thy great Redeemer own;
Believe, obey, rejoice,
And worship Him along.
Cast down thy pride,
Thy sin deplore,
And bow before
The Crucified.

And when in power He comes,
Oh, may our native land
From all its rending tombs
Send forth a glorious band,
A countless throng,
For aye to sing
To heaven's high King
Salvation's song!



At present this fine hymn is no longer found in our hymnals.
Nor is its truth found in force across our land.

May it be a 'call to arms' to we who follow such a King as known and presented here.


Best wishes to all for a blessed Independence Day.
May we ever remember the cost at which our liberty has been won as well as preserved.

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