"Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it … that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church" (Eph. 5:25-27).

A servant's place He took in grace;
Came from the Father's side-
Came to fulfil God's blessed will
To seek on earth the Bride:
Though captive in the bonds of sin,
Though deep in darkness laid,
His love o'ercame the sin and shame-
His life the ransom paid.

For ere set free the Bride could be,
His precious blood must flow:
At love's command, from God's own hand
He drank the cup of woe.
On cross of shame-blest be His name!-
He full redemption wrought:
Himself He gave! naught less could save,
Could win the Bride He sought.

From glory's height a flood of light
Now streams on faith's clear eye:
The Lamb once slain broke death's cold chain,
And lives, our Head, on high.
And while earth's wise His grace despise,
And worldling coldly scorns,
With robe divine and linen fine
The Lamb His Bride adorns.

But ere the Bride can grace His side,
Ere dawns the nuptial day,
The dreary desert must be crossed,
A dark and toilsome way.
But faith can still, 'mid good and ill,
His guidance wise discern;
And, ah! 'tis there we prove His care
His ways of mercy learn.

At last! at last! the desert past,
The race of faith is run;
The night is o'er for evermore,
Eternal Day begun:
For He who died comes for His Bride
In triumph Home to bear;
With Him to be, His face to see,
His kingly throne to share.

While angels raise their note of praise,
And joyful homage bring,
The blood-bought throng the new sweet song
Of grace exultant sing.
God's wondrous plan, with love to man,
He'll gloriously display:
In light divine the Church shall shine
Throughout Eternal Day!

W. L. G.