20. Forward Still! Forward Still!

1. Forward still! Forward still!
Zion forward to the Light!
Let thy lamps be trimmed and burning;
Let thy first love’s flame stay bright.
Forward still with hopeful yearning,
Zion, take the strait gate with a will!
Forward still! Forward still!

2. Patient be! Patient be!
Zion, though with every breath
Thou hast grief from those who hate thee,
Be thou faithful unto death.
See the crown of life await thee!
Zion, though the serpent’s fang strike thee,
Patient be! Patient be!

3. Follow not! Follow not!
Zion, follow not the world;
All its proffered greatness spurning,
All its bribes, its gifts impearled.
From the dragon’s throne be turning!
Zion, when it doth thy downfall plot,
Follow not! Follow not!

4. Prove with care! Prove with Care!
Zion, every spirit prove!
If from paths of right they lure thee,
Never swerve, but look above;
Let thy guiding Star assure thee.
Zion, both the crooked and the fair,
Prove with care! Prove with care!

5. Press thou on! Press thou on!
Zion, press thou on to God!
With His strength thy spirit glowing:
Be not like a withered rod
But a vine in vigor growing.
Zion, let hypocrisy be gone,
Press thou on! Press thou on!

6. O break forth! O break forth!
Zion, O break forth in might!
Brother-love in thee be burning,
Show thyself as His by right,
Who as Bridegroom is returning,
Zion, through thine open door on earth:
O break forth! O break forth!

7. Hold thou fast! Hold thou fast!
Persevere now as of old!
Lukewarm let not Jesus find thee:
On, behold the crown of gold!
On, forget what is behind thee;
Zion, in thy struggle to the last,
Hold thou fast! Hold thou fast!