Once to Every Man and Nation

We are seeing history written these days, which is true of any day and age, but particularly so during the time we find ourselves in. At this historical time, I've been finding myself reflecting on the past, for some reason, and not the future. The Present Crisis was a poem written by James Russell Lowell, an abolitionist, and was first published in 1845. It was written by Mr. Lowell as a protest over certain issues connected with slavery. I posted this portion of the poem a couple of months ago, but I want to repost it today since it's been so much on my mind of late.

Because of several issues surrounding the current day and time, some national, I wanted to reflect on this poem once again, due to its depth and meaning. The first and last stanzas are particularly important for us to remember, certainly those of us who are believers. It's EXTREMELY important that we embrace what's being articulated here. There are some of you who know what I mean in a more particular way. Note that the last stanza says that it's often the portion of truth to be on the scaffold, while wrong is often on the throne. But note this certainty most of all: It's the scaffold that sways the future, and somewhere in the shadows, though unknown and unseen by many, GOD IS KEEPING WATCH ABOVE HIS OWN. I read somewhere that this poem reminds us that it is GOD who is in control of history and HE will write the last chapter. Amen. Hallelujah.

[ Scaffold, in capital punishment, refers to a structure at a gallows that the condemned stand upon, often with a trap door; it can also refer to the elevated structure on which a condemned person is set to be beheaded. (per Wikipedia)]

This is the hymn version:

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, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.

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 man chooses while the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calv’ries 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.

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the 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.

~James Russell Lowell