Author: Samuel Longfellow, 1819-1892 Hymnal: Singing the Living Tradition #189 (1993) Meter: 8.7.8.7 D Lyrics: 1 Light of ages and of nations,
every race and every time
has received thine inspirations,
glimpses of thy truth sublime.
Always spirits in rapt vision
passed the heavenly veil within,
always hearts bowed in contrition
found salvation from their sin.
2 Reason’s noble aspiration truth
in growing clearness saw;
conscience spoke its condemnation,
or proclaimed eternal law.
While thine inward revelations
told thy saints their prayers were heard,
prophets to the guilty nations
spoke thine everlasting word.
3 Lo, that word abideth ever;
revelation is not sealed;
answering now to our endeavor,
truth and right are still revealed.
That which came to ancient sages,
Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew,
written in the soul’s deep pages,
shines today, forever new. Topics: Wisdom from the World's Religions Our Common Ground; Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning; The Living Tradition; Nations; Reason and Science; Truth; World Community Languages: English Tune Title: IN BABILONE
Light of Ages and of Nations