Hymn Story

Lead On, O King Eternal

When Ernest Shurtleff's seminary class was preparing for their graduation, they turned to Ernest, who had written two volumes of poetry, and asked him to write a hymn for their graduation ceremony. He wrote "Lead on, O King Eternal" for that occasion.

This hymn is really a prayer -- a prayer for God's guidance. It speaks of marching and "fields of conquest" and "battle song" -- not because it celebrates war, but because it acknowledges the daily struggle in which good people must engage against evil. It looks forward to the celebration of victory -- not with clashing swords and stirring drums, but with "deeds of love and mercy" -- acknowledging that Christ calls us to conquer the world by demonstrating love and showing mercy rather than by using force.

This hymn acknowledges the difficulties of the Christian life -- standing armed only with holiness against "sin's fierce war. It acknowledges the reality of the cross, but celebrates the reality of the crown -- the reward of those who are faithful -- and closes, "Lead on, O God of might!"