Page:Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow monochrome.djvu/196

 of his forefathers, that he will live and die as they have lived and died.

The Protestants form a very small minority. They have been harrassed for centuries by fierce attacks from powerful armies of Catholics. But after sanguinary persecutions, they have revived as the corn, and grown as the vine. Once, their last remnant was driven to Switzerland; but a courageous minister, assuming a military character, led them back victoriously to their native valleys. The portrait of this hero bears the following inscription:

I preach and fight—I have a double commission, and these two contests occupy my soul. Zion is now to be rebuilt, and the sword is needed as well as the trowel.

The English government has several times interfered in their behalf, and large donations have been sent to them from various Protestant countries. Many a tribute of admiration has been paid them by men of ability from the leading sects of Protestantism, till their church has been flattered into immeasurable self-importance.

The following hymn expresses the feelings engendered by their romantic situation:

For the strength of the hills we bless Thee, Our God, our fathers' God: Thou hast made Thy children mighty By the touch of the mountain sod. Thou hast fixed our ark of refuge, Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod; For the strength of the hills we bless Thee, Our God, our fathers' God. We are watchers of a beacon, Whose light must never die: We are guardians of an altar, 'Midst the silence of the sky.