Henry Kent, "We Can Wait Still Longer" (1909)
Firm in the faith
That the great Power above is vastly stronger
Than aught beneath.
We know the strength in men which God doth nourish
No other can defy:
That every mortal sin that here doth flourish
Is mortal and must die.
But in that faith is wrapped our high endeavor,
And with a valiant heart
We must close up the broken ranks and never
Fall in our part.
We know that hate and every evil passion
Must bide its time;
That the eternal beauties God doth fashion
Must be sublime.
Then with [illegible] fervor let us labor,
Still [illegible] our bloodless war,
Keeping our spirit toward our erring neighbor
Sweet to the core.
And each unselfish efort now expanded.
How great soe'er the cost.
In the grand structure, when the work is ended
Will not he lost.
-Henry Kent, in the Chicago Public
Published in Colored American Magazine, November 1909