Scripture Verse

No one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

Introduction

Words: Lu­ci­us H. Thay­er, 1900.

Music: Con­quest John F. Bridge (1844–1924) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Thayer (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John F. Bridge (1844–1924)

Lyrics

The Church of God is stab­lished
Through Je­sus Christ our Lord,
Indwelt by Christ all glo­ri­ous
With Christ she shall ac­cord.
The sweet­ness of Christ’s spi­rit
Within her life en­dures,
And to the wea­ry na­tions
God’s day of peace en­sures.

The Church of God en­shrin­eth
Whate’er true men hold dear,
And with her strength doth cher­ish
The vi­sions of the seer.
The pa­tience of Christ’s spi­rit
Within her heart abides,
To hope she still doth wit­ness,
Whatever ill be­tides.

The Church of God in­creas­eth
Through sac­ri­fice and pain;
Through tra­vail and through sor­row
She makes her con­stant gain.
The pass­ion of Christ’s spi­rit
Ne’er from the Church shall die;
Love shall the sin-vexed peo­ples
Redeem and sanc­ti­fy.

The Church of God en­dur­eth,
Though vexed with in­ward strife;
To God’s sure end she mov­eth
For Christ is her true life.
The pow­er of Christ’s strong spi­rit
The Church shall un­ify,
When, all names lost in one name,
The king­dom draw­eth nigh.