As I have often written about my faith, one of my many favorite hymns is Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory, written by abolitionist, Julia Ward Howe, during the Civil War. Using the tune from John Brown’s Body, Julia’s words joined the Union’s cause to God’s vengeance on Judgment Day. This hymn was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February, 1862. Although professional soloists and choirs have sung the hymn through the years, the most recent performance was done at St. Paul’s Cathedral on September 14, 2001 for the memorial service for those we lost on September 11, 2001.
Faith is believing what you cannot see, but our eyes, through that faith, know that the Lord is coming. He will destroy the wineries where the grapes are stored. His terrible sword will be like the lightning of past catastrophes. His trumpet will never be used to sound the retreat but as a call to continue on. The hearts of men will be judged by God on that last day. My soul will rise up on wings of eagles, and my feet will race jubilantly towards victory. Christ was born in a lowly stable, many miles away among some of God’s smallest, beautiful creatures. The glory from His soul changed all of us. He died a dreadful death on a cross so that we may be holy. Let us fight so that all men may be free, wherever that may be in the world.
And in the rousing refrain, we raise our joyous, “Hallelujahs,” to His truth that marches on. I pray that as wars continue to rage around the world, Americans will come together to solve their own problems, many of which were around at the writing of these lyrics during the Civil War.` Social media continues to affect us by promoting the idea that there is no light left in the world today, but I believe if I have faith the size of a mustard seed, I can shine my light into the world to overcome the darkness. In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born to bring us peace, to give us the strength and courage to make all things right, and to forgive us for our faults.
We are a divided nation concerning many issues, but only through faith will we march on in victory for all people, all races, all creeds, all nationalities, all religions. Sharing the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have a dream that one day, all men will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the quality of their character.” Judgment Day will be a blessing for all who carry faith in their hearts, who act on that faith for the good of others, and who sing praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Glory hallelujah! His truth is marching on.”
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2006, Page 890.)
Anna Hartt
