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23

I find Thee in the heaven blue

That round the earth-Thy witness true-
Doth wind about, for all to view.

The earth itself, my dwelling-place,
Calls on my spirit, in its face
Thee, mighty Master, there to trace.

And thou, my soul, praise joyously
Thy God, whom, while beholding thee,
I clearly there revealed see.

THE THOUGHT OF GOD.

(Psalm lxxiv: 25.)

One thought I have, my ample creed,

So deep it is and broad,

And equal to my every need

It is the thought of God.

Each morn unfolds some fresh surprise;
I feast at life's full board;

And rising in my inner skies

Shines forth the thought of God.

At night my gladness is my prayer ;
I drop my daily load,

And every care is pillowed there

Upon the thought of God.

I ask not far before to see,
But take in trust my road;
Life, death, and immortality,
Are in my thought of God.

To this their secret strength they owed
The martyr's path who trod;
The fountain of their patience flowed
From out their thought of God.

Be still the light upon my way,
My pilgrim staff and rod,

My rest by night, my strength by day,
O blessed thought of God.

24

GOD IN NATURE.

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
The great Original proclaim.

Th' unwearied sun, from day to day,

Does his Creator's power display,

And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And mighty to the listening earth

25

Repeats the story of her birth;

While all the stars that 'round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings, as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
Move 'round this dark, terrestrial ball;
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found;
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
Forever singing as they shine,

66 The hand that made us is divine."

FOR DIRECTION.

Lord of might and Lord of glory,
Humbly do I bow before Thee;
With my whole heart I adore Thee,
Great Lord!

Listen to my cry, O Lord!

Passions proud and fierce have ruled me,
Fancies light and vain have fooled me,
But Thy training stern hath schooled me ;
Now, Lord,

Take me for Thy child, O Lord!

26

Groping dim and bending lowly,
Mortal vision catcheth slowly
Glimpses of the pure and holy;
Now, Lord,

Open Thou mine eyes, O Lord!

In the deed that no man knoweth,
Where no praiseful trumpet bloweth,
Where he may not reap who soweth,
There, Lord,

Let my heart serve Thee, O Lord.

In the work that no gold payeth,
Where he speedeth best who prayeth,
Doeth most who little sayeth,

There, Lord,

Let me work Thy will, O Lord!

GOD OUR FATHER.

Is there a lone and dreary hour,

When worldly pleasures lose their power?
My Father! let me turn to Thee,
And set each thought of darkness free.

Is there a time of racking grief
Which scorns the prospect of relief?
My Father! break the cheerless gloom,
And bid my heart its calm resume.

Is there an hour of peace and joy,
When hope is all my soul's employ?
My Father! still my hope will roam,
Until they rest with Thee, their home.

The noontide blaze, the midnight scene,
The dawn or twilight's sweet serene,
The glow of health, the dying hour,
Shall own my Father's grace and power.

27

BE STILL TO GOD.

Oh, let my trembling soul be still
While darkness veils this mortal eye,
And wait Thy wise and holy will,

Though wrapt in fears and mystery!
I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see,
Yet all is well since ruled by Thee.

So, trusting in Thy love, I tread
The narrow path of duty on.

What though some cherished joys are fled;

What though some flattering dreams are gone;

Yet purer, nobler joys remain,

And peace is won through conquered pain.

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