All fair within those children of the light

All fair within those children of the light

Though dark their brows beneath the desert sun;

Mysterious joys

far hidden from all sight

The King of Glory giveth to each one;

No thought of man has pictured them

No hand may touch that diadem;

Within God’s light His own abide

With hidden glory glorified.

To earthly eyes they are as Adam’s race—

They wear the earthly form

and scars of pain

On them as on all sinners leave their trace;

Their outward needs are those of other men.

And theirs the forms of earthly life

Theirs sleeping

waking

want

and strife

Yet this they have that they despise

What fairest seems to earthly eyes.

And inwardly their life is from above

The Lord’s Almighty Word hath quickened them;

Flames kindled from the everlasting Love

The children of the New Jerusalem;

Their brethren are the saints in light

And songs of sweetness infinite

They sing with them to God Most High

A deep and wondrous melody.

They walk upon the earth

and dwell in heaven

Though pow’rless

guard the world with arms unseen;

Deep peace to them in midst of strife is given

And all they wish they have

though poor and mean.

Storms beat them

but may not destroy

Fast rooted in eternal joy;

They walk as in the shade of death

Yet living on in silent faith.

When Christ their Life shall be made manifest

When He shall come with all His pow’r to rule

Their glory

hidden long

shall be confessed;

Arise and shine! O bright and beautiful!

With Christ ye shall ascend on high

Victorious in His victory—

The hidden light shall shine afar

Each saint an everlasting star.