Now, when the dusky shades of night, retreating
Before the sun’s red banner, swiftly flee;
Now, when the terrors of the dark are fleeting,
O Lord, we lift our thankful hearts to Thee.

To Thee, whose Word, the fount of light unsealing,
When hill and dale in thickest darkness lay,
Awoke bright rays across the dim earth stealing,
And bade the even and morn complete the day.

Look from the tower of heaven, and send to cheer us,
Thy light and truth, to guide us onward still;
Still let Thy mercy, as of old, be near us,
And lead us safely to Thy holy hill.

In vain to labor, unless Thou be with him,
Man goeth forth through all the weary day;
In vain his strife, in vain his toil unceasing,
Unless Thy staff bring comfort on his way.

Thou, who hast made the north and south, watch o’er us;
Thou, in Whose Name the lonely ones rejoice,
Still let Thy cloudy pillar glide before us,
Still let us listen for Thy warning voice.

So, when the morn of endless light is waking,
And shades of evil from its splendors flee,
Safe may we rise, the earth’s dark breast forsaking,
Through all the long bright day to dwell with Thee.

O Thou, whom all Thy saints adore,
We now with all Thy saints agree,
And bow our inmost souls before
Thy glorious, awful majesty.

Thee, King of nations, we proclaim:
Who would not our great Sovereign fear?
We long to experience all Thy Name,
And now we come to meet Thee here.

We come, great God, to seek Thy face,
And for Thy loving-kindness wait;
And O how dreadful is this place!
’Tis God’s own house, ’tis Heaven’s gate.

Tremble our hearts to find Thee nigh;
To Thee our trembling hearts aspire;
And lo! we see descend from high
The pillar and the flame of fire.

Still let it on the assembly stay,
And all the house with glory fill;
To Canaan’s bounds point out the way,
And lead us to Thy holy hill.

There let us all with Jesus stand,
And join the general church above,
And take our seats at Thy right hand,
And sing Thine everlasting love.

Come, Lord, our souls are on the wing,
Now on Thy great white throne appear,
And let my eyes behold my King,
And let me see my Savior there.