Scripture Verse

Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. Mark 12:34

Introduction

Words: H. H. Ell­is, in Hymns of the Cen­tu­ries, Cha­pel Edi­tion, ed­it­ed by Ben­ja­min Shep­ard (New York: A. S. Barnes, 1911).

Music: Carl­ton Jo­seph Barn­by, 1869 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Ell­is’ full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Joseph Barnby (1838–1896)

Lyrics

Onward, brothers, march still onward,
Side by side and hand in hand,
Ye are bound for man’s true kingdom,
Ye are an increasing band.
Tho’ the way seem often doubtful,
Hard the toil ye may endure,
Tho’ at times your courage falter,
Yet the promised land is sure.

Olden ages saw it dimly,
And their joy to rapture wrought,
Living men have gazed upon it,
Standing on the hills of thought.
All the past has done and suffered,
All the daring and the strife,
All has helped to mold the future,
Make man master of his life.

Still brave deeds and kind are needed,
Noble thoughts and feelings fair;
Ye too must be strong and suffer,
Ye too have to do and dare.
Onward, brothers, march still onward,
March still onward, hand in hand;
Till ye see at last man’s kingdom,
Till ye reach the promised land.