Classic Poem

O God of love, thy glory
Blazes in the gospel plan,
Abounding with the story
Of thy flowing love to man.

High love, beyond conceiving,
Gave thy sole-begotten son;
That the bliss of souls believing
Should through endless ages run.

Warm with divinest feeling,
Down the Filial Goodness came:
And, to mediate our healing,
Bore a vile delinquent's shame.

Who, Lord, thy name avowing
Shall his glorious title prove?
Are not all of thy allowing
Men of universal love.

Lo, my bosom is expanding
To receive this heav'nly guest;
All of human form demanding
Friendly mansion in my breast.

But where thy image beaming
In my fellow man I see;
My full affections streaming
Pour their strongest energy.

O Love, of all the Graces
Fairest, thy sweet influence
Anger and pride effaces;
Easy to forgive offence.

Well-spring of social blessings,
Bearing, giving, soft and kind;
Sincere in thy caressings,
Candid is thy gentle mind.

How charming is the union,
By this noble virtue wrought!
How pleasant the communion,
By this noble virtue taught!

This heightens ev'ry beauty
In all other virtues found;
Endears each act of duty
In the social circle's bound.

Hope ceases, by enjoyment;
Faith shall fail, in vision's bliss:
Love endures; best employment
In the world of happiness.