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The Reformation Herald Online Edition

Organization in the Work of God’s People

Overcoming
Margaret E. Sangster
Overcoming

To him that overcometh,

O word divinely strong,

The victor’s palm, the fadeless wreath,

The grand immortal song.

And his the hidden manna,

And his the polished stone,

Within whose whiteness shines the name

Revealed to him alone.

To him that overcometh—

Ah, what of bitter strife

Before he win the battle’s gage

And snatch the crown of life!

What whirl of crossing weapons,

What gleam of flashing eyes,

What stern debate with haughty foes,

Must be before the prize.

To him that overcometh,

Shall trials aye befall,

The World, the Flesh, the Devil,

He needs must face them all.

Sweet sirens of temptation

May lure with silver strain,

And cope he must with subtle foes,

And blanch ’neath fiery pain.

To him that overcometh,

A mighty help is pledged,

He wields a sword of purest mould,

By use of cycles edged.

And prophets and confessors,

A matchless valiant band,

Have vanquished earth, and stormed the skies,

With that triumphant brand.

To him that overcometh,

O promise dearest dear!

The Lord Himself who died for him

Will evermore be near.

Here, dust upon his garments,

There, robes that royal be,

For “On my throne,” the King hath said,

“mine own shall sit with me.”

To him that overcometh,

O word divinely strong!

It weaves itself through weary hours

Like some rejoicing song.

For his the hidden manna,

And his the name unknown,

Which Christ the Lord that day of days

Will tell to him alone.

“Earnestly and untiringly we are to strive to reach God’s ideal for us. Not as a penance are we to do this, but as the only means of gaining true happiness. The only way to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the efforts of those who are striving to overcome.

“Holiness is constant agreement with God. Shall we not strive to be that which Christ so greatly desires us to be—Christians in deed and in truth—that the world may see in our lives a revelation of the saving power of truth? This world is our preparatory school. While here we shall meet with trials and difficulties. Continually the enemy of God will seek to draw us away from our allegiance. But while we cleave to Him who gave Himself for us, we are safe.”—The Review and Herald, May 16, 1907.