18 St. Stephen's Day
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. . . . Then they stirred up the people. . . . and caught him, and set up false witnesses against him.
From the Lesson. [Acts 7:8-11]
8,8,6,8,8,6
Verzage nicht du Haüflein klein
Altenburg
Gustavus Adolphus' Battle-song. 1631.
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855
| Fear not, O little flock, the foe Who madly seeks your overthrow, Dread not his rage and power: What though your courage sometimes faints, His seeming triumph o'er God's saints Lasts but one little hour. | | Be of good cheer; your cause belongs To Him who can avenge your wrongs, Leave it to Him our Lord. Though hidden yet from all our eyes, He sees the Gideon who shall rise To save us, and His word. | | As true as God's own word is true, Nor earth nor hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jest and by-word are they grown; God is with us, we are His own, Our victory cannot fail. | | 19 Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer! Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare; Fight for us once again! So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise A mighty chorus to Thy praise, World without end. Amen. | |