Ye Are the Light of the World

1 We read in sweet, quaint, ancient story,--
When man was in Eden in glory,
His garments were woven of light;
The sunbeam, the moon-beam, the sunbeam,
Were woven, in vesture without seam,
In vesture of purity bright,
In vesture of purity bright,

2 From this hoary legend of beauty,
We learn of man's nature and duty;
His spirit like sunlight must gleam:
The sunlight, the moonlight, the starlight,
Are only the shadows of soul-light,--
The pure spirit's beautiful beam,
The pure spirit's beautiful beam.

3 O let us then, faithful and careful,
With purpose high, earnest and prayerful,
Our true and pure nature obey!
And to the pure spirit, from heaven
A garment of white shall be given--
A garment of far-shining ray,
A garment of far-shining ray.

Source: The Morning Stars Sang Together: a book of religious songs for Sunday schools and the home circle #78