The Work of Grace

How the light of Heaven is stealing,
Gently o'er the trembling soul;
And the shades of bitter feeling-
From the lightened spirit roll.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling!

Fairer than the pearly morning
Comes the softly struggling ray:
Ah, it is the very dawning
That precedes eternal day.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling.

See the tears, the blessed trouble,
Doubts and fears, and hopes and smiles!
How the guilt of sin seems double,
And how plain are Satan's wiles!
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling!

Now the light is growing brighter,
Fear of hell, and hate of sin;
Another flash! the heart is lighter:
Love of God hath entered in.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling.

Now upon the favorite passion
Falls a steady ray of grace;
And the lights of world and fashion
In the new light fade apace.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling.

What was sweet hath now grown bitter,
What was bitter passing sweet;
Even penance now seems fitter
Than the poor world's idle treat.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling!

See! more light! the spirit tingles
With contrition's piercing dart;
More, and love divinely mingles
Ease and gladness with the smart.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing
See how grace its way is feeling!

Free! free! the joyous light of Heaven
Comes with full and fair release;-
O God, what light! all sin forgiven,
Jesus, Mary, love, and peace.
Sweetly stealing, sweetly stealing,
See how grace its way is feeling.