Divine Love.
Though knowledge here is power, yet ’tis love subdues the heart,
Subjects the will to Heaven, and will endless life impart.
It conquers every passion; and the soul that feels its power
Moves in a world of freedom, within its own loved bower.
’Tis shielded, safely shielded; the interior nought can reach;
No outward condemnation can this inward love impeach.
No weapon formed can prosper; and it fears no outward foe:
While all within is conquered, ’tis a Heaven begun below.
The world’s applause, its censure too, are both alike received;
If undeserved, ’tis heeded not, though all may be believed.
It knows no good but that in God, it bears life’s every ill,
And moves undauntedly along, in Heaven’s own blessed will.
Though outwardly you see conveyed “a libel in a frown,”
You’ll stand unmoved, though they may “wink your reputation down;”
Your deeds of charity assailed, your motives questioned too—
Reviled, you’ll not revile again, nor fear what man can do.
Oh! for the gold tried in the fire—our eyes anointed here—
White raiment that we may be clothed, and not in shame appear.
We then should move in harmony; our God would own and bless;
We then should see his works abound in love and righteousness.
The day is near, it hasteth on, when saints will all unite;
When every sin will be confessed, and every wrong made right;
When we shall see as we are seen, and know as we are known,
And sit with Jesus, as he sits upon his Father’s throne.
Oh! glory, hallelujah to our high, exalted King;
We’ll praise him here, we’ll praise him there, and make Heaven’s arches ring.
Who then can sacrifice too much, too much for him endure?
So may we purify ourselves, as Christ our Lord is pure.