Scripture Verse

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Introduction

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Thomas Campbell (1777–1844)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Ar­thur S. Booth-Clib­born, in the Sal­va­tion Ar­my’s War Cry, April 13, 1895. Booth-Clib­born said he wrote these words in times of per­se­cu­tion and im­pris­on­ment.

Music: Sa­gi­na (Short) Tho­mas Camp­bell, Bou­quet 1825 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Booth-Clib­born (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

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Arthur S. Booth-Clibborn
1855–1939

Lyrics

O God of light, O God of love,
Shine on my soul from Hea­ven above!
Let sin appear in Thy pure ray
As black as on the judg­ment day;
Let perfect love apply the test,
And all that’s wrong make manifest.

O take Thy plummet and Thy line,
Apply them to this heart of mine,
And thus reveal each crooked place,
By contrast with true right­eous­ness!
Let holy truth condemn each sham;
Show what Thou art, and what I am.

O smite and spare not, faithful God!
A Fa­ther’s hand still holds the rod;
O make my sin-stained conscience smart,
And write Thy law upon my heart
So plainly, that my will shall bow
In full surrender, here and now!

Work on in me Thy perfect will,
In me Thy promise, Lord, fulfill;
O make me quick to fight for Thee,
And set my soul in liberty!
My soul can rest in nothing less
Than in a spotless holiness.