When First to This Polluted Earth

When first to this pol­lut­ed earth

The hol­y Sav­ior came

So hum­ble was His place of birth

Few cared to know His name.

But lo! with clouds He comes again

The crown up­on His brow;

And ev­ery eye shall see Him then

And ev­ery knee shall bow.

O blessèd hope! O joyful thought!

For those who know His grace

That when the fight of faith is fought

They shall behold His face!

To work and wait

to watch and pray

With lamps kept burning clear

Be this our service day by day

Until the Lord appear.