Sacred Poems And Hymns

By James Montgomery

HYMN CCLX. The success of the Gospel in our days.

8.8.8.8

James Montgomery

The success of the Gospel in our days.

"Let there be light:" thus spake the Word;

The Word was God; "and there was light:"

Still the creative voice is heard;

A day is born from every night.

And every night shall turn to day,

While months, and years, and ages roll;

But we have seen a brighter ray

Dawn on the chaos of the soul.

Nor we alone; its wakening smiles

Have broke the gloom of pagan sleep;

The Word hath reach'd the utmost isles,

God's Spirit moves upon the deep.

Already from the dust of death,

Man in his Maker's image stands;

Once more inhales immortal breath,

And stretches forth to heaven his hands.

From day to day, before our eyes,

Glows and extends the work begun;

When shall the now creation rise

On every land beneath the sun?

When, in the Sabbath of His love,

Shall God amidst his labours rest;

And, bending from His throne above,

Again pronounce His creatures bless'd?