+ Alarm'd at their successful toil,
Satan and his wild spirits rage,
They labour to tear up and spoil
And blast the rising heritage.
In every wilderness, they sow
The seed of death, the carnal mind;
They would not let one virtue grow,
Nor leave one seed of good behind.
5 Yet still the servants of their Lord
Look up and calmly persevere,
Supported by the Master's word,
The adverse powers they scorn to fear;
Gladly their happy work pursue:
The labour of their hands is seen,
Their hands the face of earth renew;
Some spots at least are lively green.
6 To dig the ground they thus bestow
Their lives; from every soften'd clod
They gather out the stones, and sow
The' immortal seed, the word of God.
They water it with tears and prayers
Then long for the returning word;
Happy, if all their pains and cares
Can bring forth fruit to please their Lord.
7 Jesus their work delighted sees,
Their industry vouchsafes to crown;
He kindly gives the wish'd increase,
And sends the promised blessing down :
The sap of life, the Spirit's powers,
He rains incessant from above;
He all his gracious fulness showers
To perfect their great work of love.
8 O multiply thy sowers' seed,
And fruit we every hour shall bear ; Throughout the world thy gospel spread, Thy everlasting grace declare:
We all in perfect love renew'd,
Shall know the greatness of thy power,
Stand in the temple of our God
As pillars, and go out no more.