From the Lesson. [Is.64:1-2]

8,10,8,10,10,10

Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen

[62]Bogatsky.1727.

after [63]A. H. Franke (1663-1727).

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

Awake, Thou Spirit, who of old

Didst fire the watchmen of the Church's youth,

Who faced the foe, unshrinking, bold,

Who witnessed day and night the eternal truth,

Whose voices through the world are ringing still,

And bringing hosts to know and do Thy will!

Oh that thy fire were kindled soon,

That swift from land to land its flame might leap!

Lord, give us but this priceless boon

Of faithful servants, fit for Thee to reap

The harvest of the soul; look down and view

How great the harvest, yet the labourers few.

Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard,

The prayer Thy son Himself hath bid us pray;

For, lo! Thy children's hearts are stirred

In every land in this our darkening day,

To cry for help with fervent soul to Thee;

Oh hear us, Lord, and speak, Thus let it be!

O haste to help ere we are lost!

Send forth evangelist, in spirit strong,

Armed with Thy Word, a dauntless host,

Bold to attack the rule of ancient wrong,

And let them all the earth for Thee reclaim,

To be Thy kingdom, and to know Thy name.

Would there were help within our walls!

Oh let thy promised Spirit come again,

Before whom every barrier falls,

And ere the night once more shine forth as then!

Oh rend the heavens and make Thy presence felt,

The chains tha tbind us at Thy touch would melt!

And let Thy Word have speedy course,

Through every land the truth be glorified,

Till all the heathen know its force,

And gather to Thy churches far and wide;

And waken Israel from her sleep, O Lord!

Thus bless and spread the conquests of Thy Word!

The Church's deserts paths restore,

That stumbling blocks which long in them have lain,

May hinder now Thy Word no more;

Destroy false doctrine, root out notions vain,

Set free from hirelings, let the Church and school

Bloom as a garden 'neath Thy prospering rule!