Eng:1259  Chin:s511  Kor:-  Span:-  Tag:-  Fra:-  Por:- 

Lyrics:Unknown
Music:Arthur S. Sullivan
Meter:6.5.6.5.D. with chorus

Hymns using same tune:

#871, #1269

 

 1  See the local churches,

    'Midst the earth's dark night;

    Jesus' testimony,

    Bearing Him as light.

    Form by Him, unmeasured,

    In the Spirit's mold —

    All are one in nature.

    One pure work of gold.

 

See the local churches,

'Midst the earth's dark night;

Burning in the Spirit,

Shining forth with Christ.

 

 2  God in Christ, embodied,

    As God's lampstand, He

    Has become the Spirit,

    The reality.

    Spirit as the lampstand

    Has been multiplied;

    Many local churches,

    Now are realized!

 

See the local churches,

'Midst the earth's dark night;

Burning in the Spirit,

Shining forth with Christ.

 

 3  Caring for the churches

    Is the Son of Man:

    Voice of many waters,

    Stars in His right hand;

    Eyes aflame; His face is

    Shining as the sun;

    Churches — fear no trial,

    He's the living One!

 

See the local churches,

'Midst the earth's dark night;

Burning in the Spirit,

Shining forth with Christ.

 

 4  What can quench the lampstands?

    Who can them defy?

    More the opposition —

    More they multiply!

    Deeper darkness 'round them,

    Brighter do they shine.

    They are constituted

    With the life divine.

 

See the local churches,

'Midst the earth's dark night;

Burning in the Spirit,

Shining forth with Christ.

 

 5  Soon the local churches

    Shall the Bride become,

    Bringing in that city — New Jerusalem.

    Then the many lampstands

    Shall one lampstand be;

    Triune God expressing,

    Universally.

 

Lo, from heav'n descending,

All the earth shall see

God's complete expression,

For eternity.