WHAT THEN?

When the great plants of our cities

Have turned out their last finished work;

When our merchants have sold their last yard of silk

And dismissed the last tired clerk;

When our banks have raked in their last dollar

And paid the last dividend;

When the Judge of all the earth says,

"Closed for the night,"

And ask for a balance - WHAT THEN?

-

When the choir has sung its last anthem,

And when the preacher has made his last prayer;

When the people have heard their last sermon,

And the sound has died out in the air;

When the Bible lies closed on the pulpit,

And the pews are all empty of men,

When each one stands facing his record,

And the great book is opened - WHAT THEN?

-

When the actors have played their last drama,

And the mimic has made his last fun;

When the film has flashed its last picture,

And the billboard displayed its last run;

When the crowds, seeking pleasure, have vanished,

And gone out in the darkness again;

When the trumpet of ages have sounded,

And we stand up before Him - WHAT THEN?

-

When the bugle's call sinks into silence,

And the long marching columns stand still;

When the captain repeats his last order,

And they've captured the last fort and hill;

When the flag has been hauled from the masthead,

And the wounded afield checked in,

And the world that rejected its Savior

Is asked for a reason - WHAT THEN?

-
When the Christian has finished his journey,
And his hands lay folded in rest;
When his soul is returned to the Master
Who demanded we give Him our best.
And with sorrow we hear the sad message,
"Depart for you cannot come in,
For you failed to help spread the gospel,
And left it to others" – WHAT THEN?

Last verse added by Tom Wacaster
"The Songs & Devotions of David"
Volume 3, pp. 24-25