John F. Chandler (1806–1876)

Splendor Paternæ Gloriæ
Ambrose

O JESU, Lord of heavenly grace,

Thou Brightness of Thy Father’s face;

Thou Fountain of eternal light,

Whose beams disperse the shades of night;

Come, Holy Sun of heavenly love,

Shower down Thy radiance from above;

And to our inward hearts convey

The Holy Spirit’s cloudless ray.

And we the Father’s help will claim,

And sing the Father’s glorious Name;

His powerful succour we implore,

That we may stand, to fall no more.

May He our actions deign to bless,

And loose the bonds of wickedness;

From sudden falls our feet defend,

And bring us to a prosperous end.

May faith, deep-rooted in the soul,

Subdue our flesh, our minds control;

May guile depart, and discord cease,

And all within be joy and peace.

And Christ shall be our daily food,

Our daily drink His precious blood;

And thus the Spirit’s calm excess

Shall fill our souls with holiness.

Oh, hallowed be the approaching day!

Let meekness be our morning ray,

And faithful love our noonday light,

And hope our sunset, calm and bright.

O Christ, with each returning morn

Thine image to our hearts is borne;

Oh! may we ever clearly see

Our Saviour and our God in Thee!