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Hymnals of the Stone-Campbell Movement

Enos E. Dowling Hymnal Collection

Hymn: When in the light of faith divine (FL)

Hymnal: The Christian Hymn-Book

Date: 1829

Compiler: B W Stone and T Adams

Publisher/Printer: N L Finnell

First Line: When in the light of faith divine

Topic: Trusting in the Promises of God

Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>

Composer:

Meter: CM

Tune:

Hymn Number: 92

Page Number: 097, click to see hymnal pages

Lyics

When in the light of faith divine,

The heavenly worlds appear,

A glory thro' the gospel shines,

And brings the promise near.



This pleasing light fill up the sight,

Nor aught besides is seen,

No cloudy days nor thorny maze,

Appear to intervene.



In such a light we often see,

The spreading gospel run,

And thousands flocking home to Christ,

Before the work's begun.



And thus believing, we rejoice,

The vision's truly sweet;

But e'er the promise is fulfill'd,

What trials do we meet.



Thus Joseph, in a nightly dream,

With dignity was crown'd;

But e'er the vision was fulfill'd,

Behold him stripp'd and bound.



Thus Abra'm saw the promis'd seed,

Like sand upon the shore;

Believing souls fill'd up his view,

Till he could count no more.



In steadfast faith he quit the stage,

And Isaac fill'd his place;

A faithful God from age to age,

Performs his word of grace.



What God reveals is always sure,

His promise cannot fail;

Our anchor, hope, may rest secure

On that within the vail.



Let tempests rise, we'll bear the shock,

Let storms enrage the deep,

They cannot move our precious rock,

Whose promise is to keep.



Thick darkness may o'erspread the sphere

As changing time rolls round;

The heav'nly vision disappear,

The joyful sun go down.



By faith we grasp the living word;

And bid the tempter flee;

And learn to trust a faithful God,

E'en when we cannot see.



Thro' tribulation and distress,

With joy we'll persevere:

By faith and patience we'll possess

What does not yet appear.



We stand in our forefathers' stead

With them we'll seize the prize,

And thousands in our steps shall tread,

And meet us in the skies.