O Soul Inspiring story
Of holy love and grace, In lustrous lines of glory
Engraved on Jesus' face!
Transfixed in contemplation
Of Thy transfiguring rays,
In fervent adoration
We hymn Immanuel's praise!

Blest Face, in what completeness
There Godhead-fulness dwells-
Outshines unearthly sweetness
That love in us compels!
The Father, oh, how sweetly
Unvailed to human scan-
Yea, God's own face completely
Revealed in that of Man!

Yet once, meek Face, afflicted,
Wan, haggard, vigil-worn-
In tender signs depicted,
Our griefs and sickness borne!
Thy sympathies how freighted!
Thy heart how burdened then!
Thy gentle frame how weighted
To bear the ills of men!

Ah, once depressed, dejected,
Thy lot the outcast's shame,
Thy love rebuffed, rejected-
Reviled and mocked Thy name:
Thy deep love's every token
Was pierced by hatred's dart,
Until reproach had broken
Thy lacerated heart!

And once marred, scarred, disfigured,
Dishonored, spit upon-
In mockery transfigured
With robe and thorny crown-
Scourged, crucified, torn, bleeding
In pain upon the tree-
Reviled, yet interceding
For those reviling Thee!
Then, love-bound Lamb, there taken
When ire 'gainst us awoke,
Thy bosom bared-forsaken-
To quench for us wrath's stroke!
Unfathomable anguish
In that appalling hour
Love bore for us to vanquish
In weakness Satan's power!

Amazing blaze of glory
Deep-carved in Jesus's face,
May Thy transcendent story
These hearts transform in grace;
Till soon, conformed completely,
With love-lit eyes we'll scan
God's features beaming sweetly
From Thine, Thou Son of Man!

F. A.