Classic Poem

When Abr'ham, full of sacred awe,
Before Jehovah stood,
And, with an humble, fervent pray'r,
For guilty Sodom sued; —

With what success, what wondrous grace,
Was his petition crown'd!
The Lord would spare, if in the place
Ten righteous men were found.

And could a single holy soul
So rich a boon obtain?
Great God! and shall a nation cry,
And plead with thee in vain?

Our country, — guilty as she is, —
Her num'rous saints can boast,
And now their fervent pray'rs ascend;
And can those pray'rs be lost?

Are not the righteous dear to thee
Now, as in ancient times?
Or does this sinful land exceed
Gomorrah in its crimes?

Still are we thine, we bear thy name,
Here yet is thine abode;
Long has thy presence blest our land, —
Forsake us not, O God!