Is This the Time to Halt?

Is this the time, O Church of Christ! to sound
Retreat? To arm with weapons cheap and
     blunt
The men and women who have borne the
     brunt
Of truth's fierce strife, and nobly held their
     ground?
Is this the time to halt, when all around
Horizons lift, new destinies confront,
Stern duties wait our nation, never wont
To play the laggard, when God's will was
     found?

No! rather, strengthen stakes and lengthen
     cords,
Enlarge thy plans and gifts, O thou elect,
And to thy kingdom come for such a time!
The earth with all its fullness is the Lord's.
Great things attempt for Him great things
     expect,
Whose love imperial is, whose power sublime.

--Charles Sumner Hoyt