Introduction
1808–1887
Words: Ray Palmer, in the Sabbath Hymn-Book, 1858.
Music: Sawley James Walch, 1860 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Walch (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Words: Ray Palmer, in the Sabbath Hymn-Book, 1858.
Music: Sawley James Walch, 1860 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Walch (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
One evening, Ray Palmer was sitting in his little study at home, preparing a sermon for the following Sunday…
I needed a volume from my closed bookcase on the other side of the room. I rose from my chair and walked over to get it. As I opened the door, the very book appeared straight to my hand. At once it occurred to me that in some such way the face of Christ would be unveiled to us, and the thought so filled my heart that I turned to my desk and composed the hymn.Blanchard, pp. 56–57
Jesus, these eyes have never seen,
That radiant form of Thine;
The veil of sense hangs dark between
Thy blessèd face and mine.
I see Thee not, I hear Thee not,
Yet art Thou oft with me;
And earth hath ne’er so dear a spot,
As where I meet with Thee.
Like some bright dream that comes unsought,
When slumbers o’er me roll,
Thine image ever fills my thought,
And charms my ravished soul.
Yet though I have not seen, and still
Must rest in faith alone,
I love Thee, dearest Lord, and will,
Unseen, but not unknown.
When death these mortal eyes shall seal,
And still this throbbing heart,
The rending veil shall Thee reveal,
All glorious as Thou art.