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 their last tired clerk

When our banks have raked in their last dollar

And have paid the dividends

When the Judge of earth says, "Closed for the night"

And asks for a balance, what then?

When the choir has sung its last anthem

And the preacher has made his last prayer

When the people have heard their last sermon

And the sound has died on the air

When the Bible lies closed on the altar

And the pews are all empty of men

And each one stands facing his record

And the great book is open, 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 has displayed its last run

When the crowd seeking pleasure has vanished

And gone out in the darkness again

And all of our lives flash before us

And we stand before Him, what then?

When the bugle's call sinks into silence

And the long marching column stands still

When the captain repeats his last orders

And they've captured the last fort and hill

And the flag has been hauled from the masthead

And the wounded afield checked in

And a world that's rejected its Savior

Is asked for a reason, what then?