1 John.

'Twas not in worlds of light above
That God made known His way of love;
'Twas not in scenes unsullied, bright,
That He revealed that God is light:
'Twas not amidst the ambient air,
'Midst glowing suns, or moonlight fair,
Nor where the myriad creatures creep
Who move amidst the untrampled deep.

'Twas not in Eden's garden fair,
Where all was good for man to share;
Whence sprang each tree to please the eye,
To lend its shade, its fruit supply,
Where Nature, in her tenderest ways,
Diffused her joys in myriad rays:
Not all creation's glories bright
Could tell that God is love, is light.

Not there came forth the light divine,
Not there did God's full purpose shine,
Not there did He who dwelt above
Reveal Himself as light and love;
But in those scenes of ceaseless shame,
Where sin still burned unholy flame,
Where in its fierce and fiery breath
Man wasted, moth-like unto death.

There Jesus came-the incarnate One-
God's peerless, perfect, lowly Son,
Where 'midst sorrow, sin, and shame
He showed His Father's holy name.
His life shone there in purest light,
As light 'midst darkness, burning bright,
Then crowned by death His life of love
To bring man up to God above.

T.McK.