Hymn/Song Information

From realms where the day her first dawn

From realms where the day her first dawning extends,
The Sun of the Gospel in glory ascends;
Ye forests attend while your children combine
In accents unusual, in transports divine.

Involv'd in uncertainty, darkness and death,
The clouds of destruction hung over our path,
Till yon rising splendor illumin'd our way,
And pointed our steps to the regions of day.

A council on high has been had to inquire,
For the help of mankind--and peace kindled the fire;
Provision was made for the nations distress'd,
And with the rich treasure all lands shall be bless'd.

The claim of salvation let down from above,
Cemented by justice, and brighten'd by love,
The safety of hope and the channel of grace
Joins heaven and earth in its mighty embrace.

On high see our Jesus, the penitent's friend,
With banners of mercy compassionate bend;
Entreating the wretched, rebellious and vile,
From ruin to flee, and repose in his smile.

[part 2]
The Prince of Salvation is coming--prepare
A way in the desert, his blessings to share;
He comes to release us from sin and from woes,
And bids the rude wilderness bloom like a rose.

His reign shall extend from the east to the west,
Composing the tumults of nature to rest;
The day-spring of glory illumine the skies,
And ages on ages of happiness rise.

The brute-hearted temper of man shall grow tame,
The wolf and the lion lie down with the lamb,
The bear with the kine shall contentedly feed,
While children their young ones in harmony lead.

The serpentile race shall seek venom in vain;
The rattle-snake, harmless, shall bask on the plain;
The infant shall play on the hole of the asp,
And smile in the folds of the cockatrice' grasp.

[part 3]
No more shall the sound of the war-whoop be heard,
The ambush and slaughter no longer be fear'd;
The tomahawk, buried, shall rest in the ground,
And peace and good-will to the nations abound.

All spirit of war to the Gospel shall bow;
The bow lie unstrung at the foot of the plough;
To prune the young orchard the spear shall be bent,
And love greet the world with a smile of content.

Slight tinctures of skin shall no longer engage
The fervour of jealousy, murder and rage;
The white and the red shall in friendship be join'd,
Wide spreading benevolence over mankind.

Hail! scene of felicity, transport and joy,
When sin and vexation shall cease to annoy;
Rich blessings of grace from above shall be given,
And life only serve as a passage to heaven.

Roll forward, sear Saviour! roll forward the day,
When all shall submit and rejoice in thy sway;
When white men, and Indians, united in praise,
One vast hallelujah triumphant shall raise.