Tune: Tempus Adeste Floridum
(\'Good King Wenceslas\')
Acts 7 v.51-60
For St Stephen\'s Day: Dec 26.
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Stephen in Jerusalem
Did preach there unto them
At the ending, he did say
You stubborn ones, this day
Impenitent in your heart
And in ears, on your part
You the Spirit do resist
As ancestors, no desist
They prophets persecute
Evil was their heart\'s root
Prophets showed of the Just One
He to come, God\'s own Son
You Him betrayed and murdered
Spoke against Him your word
Crucify was all your breath
You oppressed Him to death
You who have the law received
Not kept it, not believed
When they heard these thing they were
Enraged, wrath did occur
But Stephen, he being full
Of the Spirit withal
Looked up steadfast to heaven
Saw the glory of God then
And Jesus there at right hand
Of God, there His place manned
Heavens opened he did see
But then the crowd\'s fury
Vented on him, with loud voice
Cast him out, that their choice
Not listened to message there
In his stoning did share
He did call on God, saying
Lord, do forgive this thing
Jesus, my spirit receive
I trust you, I believe
Lay not this sin to their charge
Then with peace and courage
He did die, did fall asleep
The Lord his soul did keep
Lead us, Lord, to witness strong
Acting against all wrong
As your holy martyr did
Stephen, your light not hid
What seems waster in human thought
Greater purpose has brought
Full of power, life, and grace
Your example he did trace