Classic Poem

God of the wide creation—
Of air, and earth, and sea!
Accept the young oblation,
We children bring to THEE .
We come, thy saints attending,
And join our notes with theirs;
At mercy's footstool bending,
We lift our youthful pray'rs.

And will the Lord of glory,
Who dwells beyond the sky,
Regard our humble story,
And answer from on high?
He will! for he hath told us
In his eternal word,
He always doth behold us—
His ears have ever heard.

When Samuel bow'd before him,
And clasp'd his hands and pray'd,
God taught him to adore him,
And heard the pray'r he said:
Now, Samuel's God is near us,
Where we have met to-day;
He bows his ear to hear us,
And teaches us to pray.

Then bless, Great God of heaven!
The helpless, bleeding slave;
Let light and truth be given,
His darken'd soul to save;
And speed, good Lord! the season,
When slavery's reign shall end,
And masters, sway'd by reason,
Shall call the slave their friend.