In his ministry Palmer laid much emphasis on the Lord's Supper, and many of his hymns were written for communion services. He once said, in a communion address: "When the cares and the business of life have hurried me hither and thither with no little distraction of mind, I love to come back again, and sit down before the cross, and gaze on the blessed Sufferer with silent, tender memories. It is like coming once more into the sunshine after long walking through gloom and mist." Palmer's whole life was characterized by a warm, almost passionate, devotion to Christ. His faith in the Saviour was so childlike and strong that it enabled him to rise above all external burdens and trials. Something of his personal love to Christ may be seen beautifully reflected in his hymn, "Jesus, these eyes have never seen," which was his own favorite and which many regard as inferior only to "My faith looks up to Thee." It is such an appealing lyric, we feel we must quote it in full. Jesus, these eyes have never seen That radiant form of Thine! The veil of sense hangs dark between Thy blessed face and mine! I see Thee not, I hear Thee not, Yet art Thou oft with me! And earth hath ne'er so dear a spot As where I meet with Thee. Like some bright dream that comes unsought, When slumbers o'er me roll, Thine image ever fills my thought, And charms my ravished soul. Yet though I have not seen, and still Must rest in faith alone, I love Thee, dearest Lord, and will, Unseen, but not unknown. When death these mortal eyes shall seal, And still this throbbing heart, The rending veil shall Thee reveal, All glorious as Thou art. Palmer looked upon his hymns as gifts from heaven, and therefore he refused to accept money for their use. He insisted, however, that those who published his hymns should print them exactly as they were written. He regarded the somewhat common practice of tampering with texts as "immoral." Palmer died in 1887. On the day before he breathed his last, he was heard repeating feebly the last stanza of his favorite hymn: When death these mortal eyes shall seal, And still this throbbing heart, The rending veil shall Thee reveal, All glorious as Thou art. A Hopeful Missionary Lyric The morning light is breaking; The darkness disappears; The sons of earth are waking To penitential tears; Each breeze that sweeps the ocean Brings tidings from afar, Of nations in commotion, Prepared for Zion's war. See heathen nations bending Before the God we love, And thousand hearts ascending In gratitude above; While sinners, now confessing, The gospel call obey, And seek the Saviour's blessing, A nation in a day.