But if the salt its virtue lose,
And ye the ways of darkness choose;
Slight all my counsel, and refuse
To preach impartial love;
'Tis thenceforth useless but to cast
Into the streets, where trav'llers pass
And trampl'd on by ev'ry class,
Throughout the world in ev'ry place,
Where mortals live and move.
As burning lights I send you forth,
Into this dark benighted earth,
Wherever sin and moral death
Have spread their baleful shade.
A city on mount Zion's hill,
Cannot its shining light conceal,
But speaks aloud my Father's will,
That I, his Son, should rend the vail,
O'er all the nation spread.
O blushing, blissful morn indeed!
Where all from sin and bondage freed,
Shall lay aside each human creed,
And round one altar bend:
Where grace, free
Which shall employ each thankful tongue;
While endless ages roll along;
And peace, unsullied peace, shall reign
Throughout fair Canaan's land,