Holy Ghost, With Light Divine
Holy Ghost, with Light Divine
Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.
Holy Ghost, with pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
Long hath sin without control
Held dominion o’er my soul.
Holy Ghost, with joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Bid my many woes depart,
Heal my wounded, bleeding heart.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev’ry idol throne,
Reign supreme and reign alone.
THIS HYMN’S TUNE is entitled “Mercy,” and that is what the Holy Spirit accomplished through Andrew Reed, the hymn’s author. A Congregational pastor in London, Reed founded six hospitals for the sick and helpless in London, including the London Orphan Asylum, the Asylum for Fatherless Children, the Hospital for Incurables, and the Asylum for Idiots. While the names of the institutions may seem strange to modern ears, they were all much-needed missions of mercy.
Andrew Reed’s son wanted to write a biography of his father and asked for some biographical information. Andrew responded with these words, “I was born yesterday; I shall die tomorrow; I must not spend today in telling what I have done, but in doing what I may for Him who has done so much for me.”
You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Romans 8:12-14
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