Awake, awake! put on thy strength,
Thy beautiful array;
The day of freedom dawns at length,
The Lord's appointed day.
The third verse was not long in coming to every mind—
Rebuild thy walls! thy bounds enlarge!
—and even without that added word the impoverished congregation evidently enough had received a message from heaven. They took heart of grace, overcame all difficulties, and in good time replaced their ruined Sabbath-home with the noble house in which they worship today.*
* The story is told by Rev. William E. Barton D.D. of Oak Park, Ill.
If the “New England Church” of Chicago did not sing this hymn at the dedication of their new 550 / 488 temple it was for some other reason than lack of gratitude—not to say reverence.