The Refiner's Fire

1 He sat by a furnace of seven-fold heat,
As he watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze,
As He heated it more and more,
He knew He had ore that would stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
To mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems of a price untold.

2 So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
Tho’ we fain would have said Him “Nay,”
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
As it melted and passed away.
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw but he fire—not the Master’s hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.

3 Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o’er the fire, tho’ unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think that it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment’s pain?
Ah, no! but He saw thro’ the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.

4 So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a whit more heat
Than was needed to make it pure,
Dear soul, when God shall smelt thine ore,
Shrink not from the furnace heat;
‘Twill only the dross from your heart remove,
And leave it pure and sweet.

Source: The Joy Bells of Canaan or Burning Bush Songs No. 2 #37

• MIDI file from The Joy Bells of Canaan or Burning Bush Songs No. 2 #37
  
• MIDI file from Revival Hymns: a Collection of New and Standard Hymns for Gospel and social meetings, Sunday schools and Young People's Societies #44