October 24, 2005

Have faith in God –
So wipe away your tears;
Have faith in God –
Farewell to doubts and fears;
Have faith in God –
His coming kingdom nears.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Faith of Our Fathers

Frederick Wiliiam Faber, 1814-1863

    Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 3, 4.

The verses were written by Frederick William Faber in 1849, and the refrain by James G. Walton in 1874. This hymn was sung at the funeral of American president Franklin Roosevelt, held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the Truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission