O Christ, He is the fountain

The original title of this hymn (more like a ballad of 19 stanzas) is "The Sands of Time are Sinking", inspired by the life of Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) a pastor in the town of Anwoth, Scotland who was banished for his nonconformity and then wrote 365 letters, which Spurgeon held to be 'the nearest thing to inspiration that can be found in all the writings of mere man.' The name of the tune for this hymn is "Rutherford".

The 19th stanza refers to Rutherford's being charged with high treason, but his death intervened before he could be tried. His epitaph on his tombstone concluded "Aquainted with Immanuel's song."

Hymnal.net stanza 1 is the original 2nd stanza.

Hymnal.net stanza 2 is the original 15th stanza.

And Hymnal.net stanza 3 is the original 17th stanza (after the resurrection).

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1 The sands of time are sinking,

the dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for—

the fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark hath been the midnight,

but dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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2 O Christ, He is the fountain,

the deep, sweet well of love!

The streams of earth I’ve tasted

more deep I’ll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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3 Oh! Well it is forever,

Oh! well forevermore,

My nest hung in no forest

of all this death doomed shore:

Yea, let the vain world vanish,

as from the ship the strand,

While glory—glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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4 There the Red Rose of Sharon

unfolds its heartsome bloom

And fills the air of heaven

with ravishing perfume:

Oh! To behold it blossom,

while by its fragrance fanned

Where glory—glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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5 The King there in His beauty,

without a veil is seen:

It were a well spent journey,

though seven deaths lay between:

The Lamb with His fair army,

doth on Mount Zion stand,

And glory—glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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6 Oft in yon sea beat prison

My Lord and I held tryst,

For Anwoth was not heaven,

and preaching was not Christ:

And aye, my murkiest storm cloud

was by a rainbow spanned,

Caught from the glory dwelling

in Immanuel’s land.

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7 But that He built a heaven

of His surpassing love,

A little new Jerusalem,

like to the one above,

“Lord take me over the water”

hath been my loud demand,

Take me to my love’s own country,

unto Immanuel’s land.

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8 But flowers need nights cool darkness,

the moonlight and the dew;

So Christ, from one who loved it,

His shining oft withdrew:

And then, for cause of absence

my troubled soul I scanned

But glory shadeless shineth

in Immanuel’s land.

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9 The little birds of Anwoth,

I used to count them blessed,

Now, beside happier altars

I go to build my nest:

Over these there broods no silence,

no graves around them stand,

For glory, deathless, dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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10 Fair Anwoth by the Solway,

to me thou still art dear,

Even from the verge of heaven,

I drop for thee a tear.

Oh! If one soul from Anwoth

meet me at God’s right hand,

My heaven will be two heavens,

In Immanuel’s land.

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11 I’ve wrestled on t'wards heaven,

'gainst storm and wind and tide,

Now, like a weary traveler

that leaneth on his guide,

Amid the shades of evening,

while sinks life’s lingering sand,

I hail the glory dawning

from Immanuel’s land.

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12 Deep waters crossed life’s pathway,

the hedge of thorns was sharp;

Now, these lie all behind me

Oh! for a well tuned harp!

Oh! To join hallelujah

with yon triumphant band,

Who sing where glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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13 With mercy and with judgment

my web of time He wove,

And aye, the dews of sorrow

were lustered with His love;

I’ll bless the hand that guided,

I'll bless the heart that planned

When throned where glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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14 Soon shall the cup of glory

wash down earth’s bitterest woes,

Soon shall the desert briar

break into Eden’s rose;

The curse shall change to blessing

the name on earth that’s banned

Be graven on the white stone

in Immanuel’s land.

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15 O I am my Beloved’s

and my Beloved’s mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner

into His “house of wine.”

I stand upon His merit—

I know no other stand,

Not e'en where glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

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16 I shall sleep sound in Jesus,

filled with His likeness rise,

To love and to adore Him,

to see Him with these eyes:

’Tween me and resurrection

but Paradise doth stand;

Then—then for glory dwelling

in Immanuel’s land.

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17 The Bride eyes not her garment,

but her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory

but on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

but on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

of Immanuel’s land.

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18 I have borne scorn and hatred,

I have borne wrong and shame,

Earth’s proud ones have reproached me

for Christ’s thrice blessed Name:

Where God His seal set fairest

they’ve stamped the foulest brand,

But judgment shines like noonday

in Immanuel’s land.

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19 They’ve summoned me before them,

but there I may not come,

My Lord says “Come up hither,”

My Lord says “Welcome home!”

My King, at His white throne,

my presence doth command

Where glory—glory dwelleth

in Immanuel’s land.

This hymn deeply resonates in my heart --- sweet, pure, profound, eternal. An apt offering of sweet aroma to our dear Beloved who gave His life for us. A marriage song for our Universal Bridegroom.

That song was sung many times in Toronto and in Vancouver where I met over many years with some beloved brothers and sisters. Now many years later I offered it by email this day to a brother through whom I was invited to his native India in 2002. Now I am impelled by the Lord to return to India for my 16th visit. The central theme of the message the Lord has put on my heart is contained in verse 3 - 'The Bride eyes not her garment, But her dear Bridegroom's face... Now our dear Bridegroom is at the very doors!

I will be using this hymn in my wedding in 1 week, and I'm enjoying Christ as my deep sweet well of life!

To brother Samuel Frank Diaz: your comment is very touching. Although I can't empathize with your loss, your faith and eternal hope in the Lord are a real supply and encouragement to me. I feel insufficient in being able to supply you with words of my own, so I would like to share with you the following:

"His grace is all-sufficient

As by His wisdom planned."

Keep gazing on the King of grace, brother.

Your brother in Christ,

Sam Hall

I woke up 2 hours earlier than usual today. Immediately I started planning my day thinking I have a real jump start.

I've recently lost my wife to cancer, although it's been 8 months I'm still surprised when I don't see her in the morning. I miss that morning hug and "hi babe."

This morning I'm enjoying that morning hug with Our Beloved Bridegroom and King of grace.

I want to spend more time gazing at Him and enjoying His wonderful presence.

I heard this song many years ago (1970) at Elden Hall in Los Angeles. Someone shouted out "SISTERS." All these women rose to their feet and started singing this song and it had to be one of the most memorable moments of my life. To put the icing on the cake a sister than shouted out "BROTHERS." The sisters sat down; the brothers stood up to sing and I realized I'm a sister also!! We all rose together for the last verse and I'm not kidding I thought we were going to sing it again right at the throne.

Thank You Lord Jesus that after so many years "You're still the One!!