From the Epistle. [1 Jn.4:10]

8,8,8,8,10,10

Geht hin ihr gläubigen Gedanken

[98]J. G. Hermann.1747.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

O wings of faith, ye thoughts, fly hence,

Roam o'er Eternity's vast field,

Surpass the bounds of time and sense,

And rise to Him, who hath revealed

That He is Love: there pause, and awestruck view

That ancient love with every morning new!

Ere earth's foundations yet were laid,

Or heaven's fair roof was spread abroad,

Ere man a living soul was made,

Love stirred within the heart of God;

Love filled the long futurity with good,

And grace to help at need beside her stood.

'Twas Love whose counsel gave to me

True life in Christ Thy only son,

Whom Thou hast made our Way to Thee,

From whom all grace flows ever down;

Whose sacrifice can make us pure and whole,

And bless and hallow all our inmost soul.

'Twas Love, that long ere time began,

That precious name of child bestowed;

That opened Heaven on earth to man,

And called us sinners sons of God;

Whose gracious promptings move the Father's hand,

That on the page of life our names may stand!

Ah happy hours, whene'er upsprings

My soul to yon Eternal Source,

Whence the glad river downward sings,

Watering with goodness all my course,

So that each passing day anew I prove

How tender and how true my Father's love!

For what am I? At His command

The million creatures of His power

Start to life on sea and land;

Oh why should God such blessings shower

On me, who am a leaf that fadeth fast,

A little shifting dust before the blast!

I am not worthy, Lord, that Thou

Shouldst such compassion on me show;

That He who made the world should bow

To cheer with love a wretch so low.

O Father, I would utterly resign

Myself to Thee; take me, and make me Thine.

When strength and heart grow faint and sad,

From battling long with heavy pain,

Thy smile shines forth to make me glad,

Thou crownest me with joy again;

Then I behold Thy Spirit's wondrous power,

Whose work is mightiest in our weakest hour.

Forth from Thy rich and bounteous store

Life's common blessings daily flow;

More than we dare to ask, far more

That we deserve, dost Thou bestow.

My heart dissolves in tears of thankfulness,

To see how true Thy care, how quick to bless.

Nor here alone: hope pierces far

Through all the shades of earth and time;

Faith mounts beyond the farthest star,

Yon shining heights she loves to climb,

And gazing on eternity behold

The promised land, our heritage of old.

Can I with loveless heart receive

Tokens of love that never cease?

Can I be thankless still, and grieve

Him who is all my joy and peace?

Ah Friend of Man, were I to turn from Thee,

Myself were sure my own worst enemy.

Could I but honour Thee aright,

Noble and sweet my song should be,

That earth and heaven should learn Thy might,

And what my God hath done for me.

There is no music sweet as is Thy name,

No joy so deep as pondering o'er Thy fame.

O heart redeemed! thou think'st it long

Till the appointed hour be come,

When thou shalt join the angels' song

To that Fair Love that brought thee home.

Have patience, heart; time hurries fast away,

Soon shalt thou reach the one Eternal Day.