Be of good courage as the conflict thickens—
The ceaseless warfare, growing yet more strong;
The endless fight which wears, unnerves and sickens;
The combat which, unslacking, lasteth long.
Be of good courage ’neath the crushing pressure,
Which more and more saints feel o’er all the earth;
Opposing forces; weight beyond all measure;
New forms of evil ever springing forth.
Be of good courage, as the darkness deepens—
The darkness which, most sure, o’er earth does spread;
The moral darkness, that which virtue cheapens;
Dark shadow of the deeper dark ahead.
And whence the courage that will never fail thee?
Not human—though most noble, true and strong;
Thy place in Christ triumphant will avail thee,
And conqueror make thee o’er the foes who throng.
J. D. Smith