Purer yet and pur­er, I would be in mind,
Dearer yet and dear­er, eve­ry du­ty find;
Hoping still, and trust­ing God with­out a fear,
Patiently be­liev­ing He will make all clear.

Calmer yet and calm­er, in the hour of pain,
Surer yet and sur­er, peace at last to gain;
Suffering still and do­ing, to His will re­signed,
And to joy sub­du­ing heart and will and mind.

Higher yet and high­er, out of clouds and sight,
Nearer yet and near­er, ris­ing to the Light;
Light se­rene and ho­ly, where my soul may rest,
Purified and ho­ly, sanc­ti­fied and blessed.

Swifter yet and swift­er, ev­er on­ward run,
Firmer yet and firm­er, step as I go on;
Oft these ear­nest long­ings swell with­in my breast,
Yet their in­ner mean­ing ne’er can be ex­pressed.