Deep Thought: Thinking About War and Injustice
Created | Updated Oct 28, 2023
Deep Thought: Thinking About War and Injustice
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This week I'm going to yield the podium to James Russell Lowell (1819-1891), poet, abolitionist, and diplomat. This lyric, which used to be sung in churches, consists of excerpts from his longer poem The Present Crisis, which he wrote in 1845.
Why 1845? I hear you say. 1845 was when the US annexed Texas. After that, it got into a war with Mexico and stole a little over half of its territory. The people who lived there already weren't asked. There was some excuse. . . oh, yeah. 'Manifest Destiny.' People usually have an excuse to cover up the real reason, which is 'because we wanted it.'
So when you think to yourself that 'well, people back then didn't know any better,' please remember Mr Lowell. And keep getting mad. The problem isn't Nation X or Dictator Y. The problem is people.
Once to Every Man and Nation1
Once to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side; Some great cause, God's new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever Twixt that darkness and that light. Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust, Ere her cause bring fame and profit, And 'tis prosperous to be just; Then it is the brave man chooses While the coward stands aside, Till the multitude make virtue Of the faith they had denied. By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, Toiling up new Calvaries ever With the cross that turns not back; New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still and onward, Who would keep abreast of truth. Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet 'tis truth alone is strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong: Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow Keeping watch above His own. |
Yours in hope, DG
