James Montgomery

On a special Christian Festival Occasion.

The sun clear-shining after showers

May his own image view,

Reflected from a thousand flowers

In countless drops of dew.

If then a freshening breeze up-springs,

Above, around, beneath,

Like heavenward incense on its wings,

Their mingled odours breathe.

So! where the Sun of righteousness

His cheering radiance sheds,

Where gracious rains have fall'n to bless

The Church's garden-beds.

Christ's ransom'd tribes before him stand,

With His own glory bright;

Plants of his heavenly Father's hand

And children of the light.

Then should the spirit from above

A gale of Eden's blow,

As from a Paradise of love,

How sweet their spices flow!

To-day, while thousands meet as one

In many a holy place,

May He who is of all the Sun,

In each his image trace.