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TomSlick

(11,890 posts)
Sun Feb 14, 2021, 06:57 PM Feb 2021

This hymn has haunted me since Saturday afternoon.

Once to Every Man and Nation.



Once to ev'ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Off'ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.
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This hymn has haunted me since Saturday afternoon. (Original Post) TomSlick Feb 2021 OP
Thanks for this reminder. I haven't thought badhair77 Feb 2021 #1
It's been haunting me for months. catrose Feb 2021 #2
I don't know that hymn RicROC Feb 2021 #3
I have long thought "Onward Christian Soldiers" problematic. TomSlick Feb 2021 #5
Just noticed this thread. wnylib Apr 2021 #7
One of the most evocative hymns for me. nt LAS14 Feb 2021 #4
Once had a pastor who love this hymn and put it into any service when he could. efhmc Feb 2021 #6

badhair77

(4,613 posts)
1. Thanks for this reminder. I haven't thought
Sun Feb 14, 2021, 07:07 PM
Feb 2021

of that hymn for years but it comes right back to me. And yes, so pertinent to the recent decisions by some senators. Some missed their moments.

catrose

(5,236 posts)
2. It's been haunting me for months.
Sun Feb 14, 2021, 07:13 PM
Feb 2021

I grew up singing it in the Baptist Church, which might be the reason I mull over decisions and conduct, wondering if this is my time.

I wanted to write to Mike Pence and mention this hymn (probably a shared heritage) when he could have pulled a 25A. Oddly, there was a way to send an email to the 'resident but not the VP.

And then the senators got to hear it from Chaplain Rev. Black--fell on 43 or rather 86 deaf ears. And they actually more than one chance (though that doesn't work as well musically), but EVERY time they chose the evil side.

And that's exactly the version I've had playing these last few months.

RicROC

(1,227 posts)
3. I don't know that hymn
Sun Feb 14, 2021, 07:32 PM
Feb 2021

I know the music but not the words, so I'm not sure if it was sung in our Lutheran Church. The hymn I just refuse to sing in church in 'Onward Christian Soldiers'. Yet, I see the emotion on the faces of those who do sing it.


By the way, this youth group performance was very good and I compliment them.

TomSlick

(11,890 posts)
5. I have long thought "Onward Christian Soldiers" problematic.
Sun Feb 14, 2021, 07:39 PM
Feb 2021

I understand that it is an allusion Paul's repeated military metaphors, but still.

wnylib

(24,405 posts)
7. Just noticed this thread.
Sun Apr 4, 2021, 05:46 AM
Apr 2021

I grew up Lutheran and we sang it.

Agree with you about Onward Christian Soldiers.

efhmc

(15,007 posts)
6. Once had a pastor who love this hymn and put it into any service when he could.
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 09:51 PM
Feb 2021

I really miss going to church because of music like this and also very intelligent thoughtful sermons. (Progressive Lutheran here.) The closest church like this to me is 90 miles away.

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