From an early Advent Review:
We have been requested to put in print the following hymn from the Zion Songster, as some occasionally want to use it. In accordance with that request we give it.
Man, at his first creation, in Eden God did place,
The public head and father of all the human race;
‘Twas by the subtle serpent he was beguiled and fell,
And thro’ his disobedience, was doom’d to death and hell.
Death was pronounced against him, death was the penalty;
The law of God was broken and must fulfilled be,
But man, the helpless creature, unable to perform
The smallest jot or tittle, to build his hope upon.
While in this sad condition, behold the promise made,
The offspring of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head,
Destroy the powers of darkness, that man should only feel
The malice of the serpent, a raging at his heel.
The scripture it was given in spirit and in truth,
In figures, types and shadows, the Saviour was set forth;
Its sacrifice and offerings, were on the altar slain,
No blood of goats and heifers could take away the stain.
Lo! at the time appointed, Christ came to save the lost,
Assumed our human nature, and died upon the cross;
In Joseph’s tomb they laid him, it being near at hand;
The grave it could not hold him, nor death’s cold iron band.
Now at his resurrection, to Mary he appeared;
Go, tell to my disciples, what you have seen and heard;
Go, tell them I am risen, and death can do no more,
I’m going to my Father, to live for evermore.
He came to his disciples, and found them all alone,
And gave them their commission, to make his gospel known;
Go, preach it to all nations, that they may hear and know,
Go, publish free salvation, that men to heaven may go.
Go, preach it to all nations, baptize them in my name,
Beginning at Jerusalem, ’twas there I suffered shame;
In ev’ry sore temptation, you succor I will send,
And lo! I will be with you, until the world shall end.
