Hymn

O Thou , who from the silent dust
Gav'st these young eyes to drink the light;
And taught'st my spirit in thy trust
To wing above its happy flight:
Who thro' the clouds of mortal care
The sunshine of thy mercy pour'd,
'Till my pale lip breath'd forth the prayer,
And all my aching heart ador'd.

Father of Heaven, be with me now,
And place before my untried youth,
When fate's dark storms around me blow,
Thy armour of celestial truth!
Thy love shall calm, thy power shall save,
And I shall smile on earth's vain strife,
With the sweet presage that the grave
But opens to eternal life!

O, ere that fateful hour arrive
What changes may I live to see!
How many a hope I may survive,
How heart-sick of the world may be
Then lead me, lead me to thy shrine,
Th' immortal hope again renew,
O keep this trembling spirit thine,
Each pulse to its Creator true!

Tho' human love may die away,
Its only dirge a passing tear —
Thy mercy will unfold a day,
When those sweet hopes shall re-appear;
And human friendships shall not fade,
Thy call shall re-unite the blest;
And earth's long suffering be repaid
With thine own everlasting rest!

To faith's rapt eye that scene is bright;
O may I firmly walk on earth,
'Till I deserve that purer light —
That moment of celestial birth!
To thee, my God, freed from its chain,
My disencumber'd soul shall fly;
And lingering years of mortal pain
Shall vanish in eternity!

O Thou , who from the silent dust
Gav'st these young eyes to drink the light;
And taught'st my spirit in thy trust
To wing above its happy flight:
Who thro' the clouds of mortal care
The sunshine of thy mercy pour'd,
'Till my pale lip breath'd forth the prayer,
And all my aching heart ador'd.

Father of Heaven, be with me now,
And place before my untried youth,
When fate's dark storms around me blow,
Thy armour of celestial truth!
Thy love shall calm, thy power shall save,
And I shall smile on earth's vain strife,
With the sweet presage that the grave
But opens to eternal life!

O, ere that fateful hour arrive
What changes may I live to see!
How many a hope I may survive,
How heart-sick of the world may be
Then lead me, lead me to thy shrine,
Th' immortal hope again renew,
O keep this trembling spirit thine,
Each pulse to its Creator true!

Tho' human love may die away,
Its only dirge a passing tear —
Thy mercy will unfold a day,
When those sweet hopes shall re-appear;
And human friendships shall not fade,
Thy call shall re-unite the blest;
And earth's long suffering be repaid
With thine own everlasting rest!

To faith's rapt eye that scene is bright;
O may I firmly walk on earth,
'Till I deserve that purer light —
That moment of celestial birth!
To thee, my God, freed from its chain,
My disencumber'd soul shall fly;
And lingering years of mortal pain
Shall vanish in eternity!
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