Classic Poem

Once brooded o'er chaos the Spirit of God,
Ere the fiat creative was echoed abroad;
But when the Divine One said, “Let there be light,”
The gladness of sunshine illumined the night.

When by the wayside sat Bartimeus the blind,
And cried, “Son of David, have mercy!” how kind
Was the gentle Redeemer who gave him his sight,
And out of lone darkness brought him to the light!

Where'er in the darkness God's servants did call,—
In dens with the lions, or in prison with Paul,
By rulers, by earthquake, or angel so bright,—
He brought them to freedom, changed darkness to light.

Then trusting thy mercy, believing thy word,
I'll struggle still onward and upward, my Lord:
In trials or temptations my utt'rance shall be,—
“Give light in the darkness, O Saviour, to me!”

And when all the clouds of my earth-life pass by,
And I gaze with soul-vision unsealed to the sky,
Oh bid my freed spirit dwell henceforth with thee,
Where light, without darkness, forever shall be!