THE night of the world grew darker
With ever-increasing gloom,
And the nations rushed more madly
To their awful, endless doom.
And ever throughout the ages
Arose Earth's doleful cry,
In an ever-increasing volume,
To the throne of God Most High.
The cry of the fallen monarch,
The shriek of the tortured slave
Arose on the air together,
To Him Who alone could save.
Yea, creation groaned and travailed
Beneath man's weight of sin,
And sighed for the Sabbath morning
That should bring salvation in.
Yet, up in the courts of glory,
Dwelt peace and love and light,
Where angels of God thrice holy
Paid homage day and night.
But, lo! at Earth's darkest moment
A solemn hush was felt
'Midst the mighty throng of angels,
While adoringly they knelt,
As Christ, the Heir of all things,
His glory laid aside;
And left His home in Heaven,
On sinful earth to 'bide.
Now, Earth, look up with gladness,
Thy Morning Star appears;
He comes to chase thy sorrows,
To banish all thy fears.
There, in the lowly manger,
Thy only hope doth lie;
Then give Him a royal welcome,
For He brings redemption nigh!
He had come, the long expected,
But the proud world knew Him not;
And the best it had to give Him
Was a malefactor's lot.
He came to His ancient people,
Whom His grace had blessed before;
And they gave Him no admission,
But turned Him from their door.
With a reed and a robe of purple,
A cross and a crown of thorn,
They sent the holy Savior
Away from the earth in scorn.
Well might angelic legions
Weep at Earth's awful plight,
As she plunged from the door of blessing.
More deep in eternal night.
And well might they gaze in wonder
At the boundless tide of grace
That flowed from the heart eternal
To a doomed and cursed race.
For there, in that tragic moment,
God's counsels were fulfilled,
And Earth might receive her blessing,
Though the Prince of Life she killed.
'Twas there God's indignation
Was measured out 'gainst sin;
And Calv'ry's night of sorrow
The day of grace brought in.
There, Truth divine and Mercy
In Christ were reconciled;
There, Justice, stern, and Pity
Upon each other smiled.
Though clearly proven guilty
Of the blood of God's dear Son,
A pardon free is offered
To every soul undone.
Go, now, ye Gospel heralds,
Proclaim ye far and near,
How Christ has died and risen,
And love has cast out fear.
Tell how free grace now reigneth
Where justice once held sway;
Tell how His blood most precious
Can wash all sin away.
Tell how He's now exalted
In majesty and power;
Tell how He lives to succor
In dark temptation's hour.
This is God's glorious Gospel
For sinners everywhere;
And all who trust in Jesus
Its many blessings share.
Then let the wondrous tidings
Resound o'er hill and plain
"Salvation, free and present,
Through Him Who once was slain.”
J. C. J.