Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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Congregational singing
Metropolitan Tabernacle, London
Text: Henry Alford | Tune: RACHIE

‘Forward!’ be our watchword,
Steps and voices joined;
Seek the things before us,
Not a look behind:
See the fiery pillar
At our army’s head;
Who shall dream of shrinking
By our Saviour led?
Forward through the desert,
Through the toil and fight:
Jordan flows before us,
Zion beams with light.

Forward, flock of Jesus,
Salt of all the earth,
Till each yearning purpose
Springs to glorious birth:
Take the Word of mercy,
Work while it is day:
Spread through all the nations
Love’s redeeming ray;
Lead them out of error,
By the Spirit’s might;
Urge them from their darkness
Forward into light.

Glory upon glory
Has our God prepared,
For the souls that love Him
One day to be shared:
Eye has not beheld them,
Ear has never heard,
Nor of them has uttered
Thought or speech a word:
But in future glory,
Where the heavens are bright,
Shall the veil be lifted
And our faith be sight.

Over yon horizon,
Rise the City’s towers,
Where our God abideth −
That fair home is ours!
Shining walls of jasper,
Streets of crystal gold,
And, of life, a river
Shedding joys untold!
Press, then, onward thither,
In the Spirit’s might,
Pilgrims, to your country −
Forward into light!