Upon the Gospel's sacred page
The gathered beams of ages shine;
For, as it hastens, ev'ry age
Fulfils its prophecies divine.
On mightier wing, in loftier flight,
From year to year the truth shall soar,
And, as it soars, its blessed light
Shall scatter darkness more and more.
More glorious still, as centuries roll,
Shall Truth's fair banner be unfurled,
Until in strength, from pole to pole,
Its radiance shall o'erflow the world—
Flow to restore, but not destroy;
As when the cloudless lamp of day
Pours out its floods of light and joy,
And sweeps the ling'ring mists away.