Man was vile,
The Missionary Hymn’
By Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
Intended to be Sung on Occasion of his Preaching a Sermon for the Church Missionary Society, in April, 1820
FROM Greenland’s icy mountains,
From India’s coral strand,
Where Afric’s sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river, 5
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error’s chain.
What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle,
10
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness 15
Bows down to wood and stone.
