ORSBORNAGAIN (22)
A devotional series by Major Rob Birks
ORSBORNAGAIN is meant to introduce the poetry of the first Poet General, Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) to a new audience and to reintroduce his works to dyed-in-the-(tropical)-wool Salvationists.
These are not new songs.
However, the lyrics are jam-packed with new life, which may be missed during corporate worship. Re-examined through scripture and experience, Rob Birks intends through an examination of these scared songs to renew the spiritual fervor of believers, and point seekers to their Savior.
Army flag! Thy threefold glory
Greets the rising of the sun;
Radiant is the way before thee,
Rich the trophies to be won;
Onward in the cause of Jesus!
Witness where the dawning glows,
Flying on the wings of morning,
Follow where the Saviour goes.
Slowly sinks the reign of darkness,
Yielding to the Saviour’s day,
When the slaves of sinful bondage
Cast their evil chains away.
Upward, Christward, homeward, Godward!
Millions who are now afar
Shall be brought into the Kingdom,
Where the Father’s children are.
Army flag! We too will follow,
Follow as with willing heart,
Honored in the cause we fight for,
Glad to take a soldier’s part,
Until men confess Christ’s Kingdom
Vaster than the world has seen,
Crown with glory and dominion
Christ, the lowly Nazarene.
Albert Orsborn
914 Our Response to God – Life and Service, Worldwide Witness
I have a confession to make. It’s not something I’m proud of. Then again, it’s not something I’m ashamed of either. It will make some of you think less of me, and I’m OK with that. This thing I will confess is not something I tell everyone (confessions tend to be like that, don’t they?). Not because I am embarrassed, but because, like you, I don’t want to be judged. Upon hearing my confession, some will ask, “Is it his mother’s fault?” Others will suggest, “His father should have done a better job raising him.” Let me say here and now that my mother is nearly faultless, and my father did a fine job raising me.
If my parents are let off the hook, some will place the blame directly at the doorsteps of the training college where, as a lad of just 22, I went to be taught the essentials of Salvation Army officership. That would be tragic, since the 1990- 1992 College for Officer Training staff was exemplary. Some of them may even read this and feel as though they some- how failed me or the Army. You didn’t do either.
I’m OK, and rest assured that our movement suffered nothing due to this thing. So, what is this thing? What could be so potentially devastating to some that I would feel the need for so many qualifiers and disclaimers before revealing it? Are you ready? Brace yourself. Here goes … I’m not much of a flag waver.
There, I said it. What a relief.
So far, I haven’t received any letters from reprimanding readers, or any phone calls from my leaders asking for my commission and epaulettes. In case you’re thinking you read my confession incorrectly the first time, or you’re hoping it was a misprint, here it goes again … I’m not much of a flag waver.
It’s not that I haven’t tried it. I have tried it. I’ve been up there in the balcony during the commissioning weekend, and have reached for the flag I was offered. I gave it a few flicks (it’s all in the wrist I’m told), but it just didn’t take. I think, maybe it’s not all in the wrist. I think a good flag waver (and some of my best friends are flag wavers) feels it deep inside. Waving their flag is one more way of expressing their thankfulness for the fact that God’s unmerited favor has saved them and keeps saving them. I get it. I even admire it. It’s just not me.
Before some of you go judging, I do raise my hands of- ten in worship, which doesn’t work with how some of you are wired. I’ve also been known to shout “Amen!” or “Hallelujah!” during a worship service, without even being prompted by someone imploring me to “Fire-a-something!” I mention this just in case you were beginning to think I was anti-demonstrative in my expressions of worship.
I don’t know whether Orsborn was a flag waver or not. I would imagine that at some point all Generals have to partake in the practice, whether or not they lean that way (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Regardless, even while seeming a flag fanatic, Orsborn’s art remains Christ- centric: “onward in the cause of Jesus,” “follow where the Saviour goes,” “upward, Christward,” “until men confess Christ’s Kingdom,” “crown with glory and dominion Christ, the lowly Nazarene.”
Orsborn makes it clear that flag waving is all about worshiping and witnessing. Not movement-worship and motto- witnessing. It’s all about Jesus! Throughout his work, while writing about a variety of topics, Orsborn is not distracted from his view of the Christ, and is not dissuaded from getting to the heart of the matter. So good! And don’t miss the poetic value of “greets the rising of the sun” in the verse one, contrasted with “slowly sinks the reign of darkness” in verse two. Sweeeeeet!
Lord, save us from waving flags vigorously without living victoriously. Lord, save us from ever lifting our banners higher than the Son of Man is to be lifted (John 12:32). Lord, save us from praising you with the waving of our arms (flags or no flags, branches or no branches) and proclaiming you as King, only to disclaim you a short time later (John 12, 19). Thank you that your banner over us is love (Song 2:4). In the name of “Christ, the lowly Nazarene,” amen and hallelujah!
May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God (Ps. 20:5a).