God Is Working His Purpose Out

There comes a time when a curmudgeon simply has to lay down the cudgel for a while, and now is that time.  My legal background has been the generator of many a polemic at this site, because whenever anyone in my beloved Church takes the low road, or seeks short-term advantage at its expense, my nature does not admit of a silent, patient response. All of my inner circuits were kicked into high gear with the announcement that the September House of Bishops meeting would indeed include, despite a disclaimer to the contrary earlier, a resolution to consent to the illegal "deposition" of the Rt. Rev. Robert William Duncan, diocesan of Pittsburgh. The deposition so announced has now occurred, and The Episcopal Church will have to live with the consequences of that act. It has made its own chaos, and I shall pull back for a bit while it unfolds of its own accord.

I was brought up properly in the Christian faith, by saints like the Rt. Rev. A. W. Noel Porter (who confirmed me at age 12).  As a result I have no hesitation in recognizing when a true saint takes the stage.  The recent post "Worthy to Suffer", by the Very Rev. Robert S. Munday, Dean of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, reminds us all of our basic priorities as Christians, no matter what havoc the secular courts may wreak in Episcopal Church affairs. 

It is time to take a rest, at least until the Pittsburgh Diocesan Convention on October 4. With Dean Munday to guide us, we are meanwhile in the best of hands. Rejoice, therefore, and praise the Lord, for God is working His purpose out:

God is working his purpose out
as year succeeds to year:
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west,
wherever foot hath trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God;
give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that earth may filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

What can we do to work God's work,
to prosper and increase
the brotherhood of all mankind--
the reign of the Prince of Peace?
What can we do to hasten the time--
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

March we forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world:
fight we the fight with sorrow and sin
to set their captives free,
that earth may filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blessed the deed;
vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed;
yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

Words: Arthur Campbell Aigner (1841-1919), 1894

Music: Martin Shaw (1875-1958), 1915