Wide O’er Earth’s Remotest Border

Wide o’er earth’s re­mot­est bor­der
Long had mid­night dark­ness dwelt,
Darkness, par­ent of dis­or­der,
Darkness, such as might be felt.

But the Lord of life des­cend­ing
From His man­sion in the skies,
Peace and joy His steps at­tend­ing,
Bids a glo­ri­ous light arise.

Jesus comes; in si­lent won­der
Nations hail the new-born light,
While He rends the veil asun­der
Which con­cealed Him from their sight.

Now the prince of dark­ness trembles,
For his reign is near its end;
All his forces he as­sem­bles
His frail em­pire to de­fend.

Vain at­tempt! the word is spok­en,
Christ shall reign on ev­ery shore;
Soon shall Sa­tan’s rod be brok­en,
Sin and dark­ness be no more.

Words: William H. Bathurst, 1831.