 | Our Heroes |  |
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BISHOP D. A. PAYNE.
Hail! thou aged Christian hero!
Whither goest thy command?
“Marching in the pathway narrow—
To our King, Immanuel's Land.”
Whither goest thy command?
“Marching in the pathway narrow—
To our King, Immanuel's Land.”
What has been thy earthly mission?
Tell the tale of hope and fear:
“Study, teaching, exhortation,
Preaching Gospel far and near.”
Tell the tale of hope and fear:
“Study, teaching, exhortation,
Preaching Gospel far and near.”
Where began thy great commission?
When was set an open door?
“In my native city, Charleston;
Eighteen hundred thirty-four;
When was set an open door?
“In my native city, Charleston;
Eighteen hundred thirty-four;
Where I labored to establish
Privileges of the school,
Every day advance accomplish,
Faithful service, was my rule.
Privileges of the school,
Every day advance accomplish,
Faithful service, was my rule.
I succeeded in this calling,
In my school on Anson Street.
But, alas! the foe is planning,
All my efforts to defeat.
In my school on Anson Street.
But, alas! the foe is planning,
All my efforts to defeat.
Said a measure, which was drafted,
In the Legislative hall:
Negroes must not be instructed.”
Ah! 'twas darkness, like a pall!
In the Legislative hall:
Negroes must not be instructed.”
Ah! 'twas darkness, like a pall!
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‘Fare ye well! my lovely children!
Seek God's wisdom, grace and love!
Brighter scenes will surely open,
Through the Father's hand above!’
Seek God's wisdom, grace and love!
Brighter scenes will surely open,
Through the Father's hand above!’
Then, my preparation season,
For God's work—the ministry;
Which, with earnest aspiration
I have served with constancy.
For God's work—the ministry;
Which, with earnest aspiration
I have served with constancy.
Prospered by the Lord, my Father;
Upheld, strengthened by His hand;
Bringing lost ones to the Saviour,
Here and there throughout the land.
Upheld, strengthened by His hand;
Bringing lost ones to the Saviour,
Here and there throughout the land.
Laboring in the North, the Southland;
Laboring in the East, the West:
Working for the heavenly restland—
All my efforts have been blessed.
Laboring in the East, the West:
Working for the heavenly restland—
All my efforts have been blessed.
Early call to rule, a Bishop,
“Not sufficient!” I confess;
Bowed I down in tears and worship,
Feeling my unworthiness!
“Not sufficient!” I confess;
Bowed I down in tears and worship,
Feeling my unworthiness!
Still my Father has upheld me,
All along my pilgrim way.
Steadily his hand doth lead me
Toward the realms of endless day.”
All along my pilgrim way.
Steadily his hand doth lead me
Toward the realms of endless day.”
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Hast thou wearied on thy journey—
Where the thorns and thistles prick?
“Fifty years I've served my country,
In the School, Church, Bishopric.
Where the thorns and thistles prick?
“Fifty years I've served my country,
In the School, Church, Bishopric.
I would serve God ages longer:
I would fight and win the crown!
For with age my faith grows stronger:
I would fight 'till sun goes down!”
I would fight and win the crown!
For with age my faith grows stronger:
I would fight 'till sun goes down!”
Hail! thou faithful Christian soldier!
Leading proudly thy command:
Journey on! in faith and vigor!
Thou shalt reach Immanuel's Land!
Leading proudly thy command:
Journey on! in faith and vigor!
Thou shalt reach Immanuel's Land!
Thou hast done a work that ages
Cannot dim on memory's page,
Though the storm, the tempest rages,
It shall live from age to age!
Cannot dim on memory's page,
Though the storm, the tempest rages,
It shall live from age to age!
In that land of Heavenly splendor,
Where the pure in heart shall reign;
Thou shalt there be crowned—a conqueror!
Daniel Alexander Payne!
Where the pure in heart shall reign;
Thou shalt there be crowned—a conqueror!
Daniel Alexander Payne!
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