I.

THOU

HOU Life within my life, than self more near,
Thou veiled Presence infinitely clear,

From all illusive shows of sense I flee,

To find my centre and my rest in thee.

2.

Below all depths thy saving mercy lies,
Through thickest glooms I see thy light arise;
Above the highest heavens thou art not found
More surely than within this earthly round.

3.

Take part with me against these doubts that rise
And seek to throne thee far in distant skies;
Take part with me against this self that dares
Assume the burden of these sins and cares.

4.

How shall I call thee who art always here?
How shall I praise thee who art still most dear?
What may I give thee, save what thou hast given,
And whom but thee have I in earth or heaven?

ELIZA SCUDDER, 1821

I.

FA

ATHER, to us thy children, humbly kneeling,
Conscious of weakness, ignorance, sin, and shame,
Give such a force of holy thought and feeling,
That we may live to glorify thy name,

2.

That we may conquer base desire and passion,

That we may rise from selfish thought and will, O'ercome the world's allurement, threat, and fashion, Walk humbly, gently, leaning on thee still.

3.

Let all thy goodness by our minds be seen,
Let all thy mercy on our souls be sealed.
Lord, if thou wilt, thy power can make us clean;
O, speak the word, thy servants shall be healed.

JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE, 1810-1888.