There was a hymn we used to sing when I was a child, one of those lusty, murderous chants characteristic of the Anglican Church in its highVictorian pomp. Written in 1894, it vibrates with imperial certainty—of salvation, election, sure destiny.
God is working his purpose out
As year succeeds to year.
God is working his purpose out
And the time is drawing near.
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that will surely be:
When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.
This story is from the March 11, 2024 edition of The New Yorker.
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This story is from the March 11, 2024 edition of The New Yorker.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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