We love this outward world,

Its fair sky overhead,

Its morning’s soft, gray mist unfurled,

Its sunsets rich and red.

2 But there’s a world within,

That higher glory hath;

A life the struggling soul must win—

The life of joy and faith.

3 For this the Father’s love

Doth shade the world of sense,

The bounding play of health remove,

And dim the sparkling glance;

4 That, though the earth grows dull,

And earthly pleasures few,

The spirit gain its wisdom full

To suffer and to do.

5 Holy this world within,

Unknown to sound or sight—

The world of victory over sin,

Of faith, and love, and light.