Third Sunday after Epiphany

Hath the Church of God received
This great promise from his Son,
'Go and, as thou hast believed,
So it ever shall be done'

Why then has she failed to gladden
Hearts and homes with gospel Light,
Which life's clouds and darkness sadden,
Thro' the long unwakened night?

Hath her God forgot His promise?
Is His hand too short to save!
Can the evil One wrest from us
What the great and good One gave?

Or have we forgot the treasure
That in trust and trial lies,
When strong Prayer in boundless measure
Wins its answer from the skies?

Where's the Gentile faith; which rested
On the hope that gave it birth,
Till the Lord himself confest it
As a marvel upon earth?

Throwing into shade the sunshine
Of His people's highest noon,
Omen of their sad declining
Clouds to settle o'er them soon I

Lord! our sleeping souls awaken,
Lead us forth to work for Thee,
And restore Thy long-forsaken
To the land where they would be:

So, through us, each Gentile nation
Thine Epiphany shall learn,
And her long-lost ' consolation '
Unto Israel return.