1  Eternal Light! Eternal Light!

       How pure the soul must be

    When, placed within Thy searching sight,

    It shrinks not, but with calm delight

       Can live and look on Thee.

 2  The spirits that surround Thy throne

       May bear the burning bliss;

    But that is surely theirs alone,

    Since they have never, never known

       A fallen world like this.

 3  Oh, how shall I, whose native sphere

       Is dark, whose mind is dim,

    Before th' Ineffable appear,

    And on my natural spirit bear

       The uncreated beam?

 4  There is a way for man to rise

       To Thee, sublime Abode;

    And Offering and a Sacrifice,

    A Holy Spirit's energies,

       An Advocate with God:

 5  These, these prepare us for the sight

       Of holiness above;

    The sons of ignorance and night

    May dwell in the eternal Light,

       Through the eternal Love.