THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
My Church! my Church! my dear old Church!
My fathers" and my own!
On Prophets and Apostles built, And Christ the Corner-stone!
All else beside, by storm or tide May yet be overthrown; But not my Church, my dear old Church, My fathers" and my own!
My Church! my Church! my dear old Church!
My glory and my pride!
Firm in the faith Immanuel taught, She holds no faith beside.
Upon this rock, "gainst every shock, Though gates of h.e.l.l a.s.sail, She stands secure, with promise sure, "They never shall prevail."
My Church! my Church! my dear old Church!
I love her ancient name; And G.o.d forbid a child of hers Should ever do her shame!
Her mother-care I"ll ever share, Her child I am alone, Till He who gave me to her arms Shall call me to His own.
My Church! my Church! my dear old Church!
I"ve heard the tale of blood, Of hearts that loved her to the death-- The great, the wise, the good.
Our martyred sires defied the fires For Christ the Crucified; The once-delivered faith to keep They burned, they bled, they died.
My Church! my Church! I love my Church, For she exalts my Lord; She speaks, she breathes, she teaches not But from His written Word; And if her voice bids me rejoice, From all my sins released, "Tis through th" atoning sacrifice, And Jesus is the Priest.
My Church! my Church! I love my Church, For she doth lead me on To Zion"s palace Beautiful, Where Christ my Lord hath gone.
From all below she bids me go To Him, the Life, the Way, The truth to guide my erring feet From darkness into day.
Then here, my Church! my dear old Church!
Thy child would add a vow To that whose token once was signed Upon his infant brow: a.s.sault who may, kiss and betray, Dishonor and disown, MY CHURCH SHALL YET BE DEAR TO ME, MY FATHERS" AND MY OWN!