Scripture Verse

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Introduction

portrait
William W. Gilchrist
(1846–1916)

Words: Frank Sew­all (1837–1915).

Music: Will­iam W. Gil­christ, from his can­ta­ta East­er Id­yll, 1907 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know when this hymn was writ­ten,

portrait
Frank Sewall (1837–1915)

Lyrics

O won­der amaz­ing! At earth’s mid­night hour
The ages are gaz­ing in awe at its pow­er;
The great sec­ret tell­ing, how ang­uish is stilled,
The ev­il dis­pel­ling: The Word is ful­filled.

O hearts that have car­ried your sor­rows un­told,
The Help­er that tar­ried come here and be­hold!
What pro­phets have spok­en the tri­al en­sures,
By tor­tures un­brok­en ’tis love that en­dures.

O love, ceas­ing ne­ver, from thee what can part?
What height or depth se­ver from thy bleed­ing heart?
Now op­ens the por­tal, O blest Je­su mine!
Of man­sions im­mor­tal, of mer­cy di­vine.