Classic Poem

We praise Thee, Almighty God, for Thine elect, the prophets and martyrs of humanity, who gave their thoughts and prayers and agonies for the truth of God and the freedom of the people. We praise Thee that amid loneliness and the contempt of men, in poverty and imprisonment, when they were condemned by the laws of the mighty and buffeted on the scaffold, Thou didst uphold them by Thy spirit in loyalty to Thy holy cause.
Our hearts burn within us as we follow the bleeding feet of Thy Christ down the centuries, and count the mounts of anguish on which He was crucified anew in His prophets and the true apostles of His spirit. Help us to forgive those who did it, for some truly thought they were serving Thee when they suppressed Thy light, but oh, save us from the same mistake!
Grant us an unerring instinct for what is right and true, and a swift sympathy to divine those who truly love and serve the people. Suffer us not by thoughtless condemnation or selfish opposition to weaken the arm and chill the spirit of those who strive for the redemption of mankind.
May we never bring upon us the blood of all the righteous by renewing the spirit of those who persecuted them in the past. Grant us rather that we, too, may be counted in the chosen band of those who have given their life as a ransom for the many. Send us forth with the pathfinders of humanity to lead Thy people another day's march toward the land of promise.
And if we, too, must suffer loss, and drink of the bitter pool of misunderstanding and scorn, uphold us by Thy spirit in steadfastness and joy because we are found worthy to share in the work and the reward of Jesus and all the saints.