Classic Poem

O Light, from age to age the same,
Forever living Word, —
Here have we felt thy kindling flame,
Thy voice within have heard.

Here holy thought and hymn and prayer
Have winged the spirit's powers,
And made these walls divinely fair, —
Thy temple, Lord, and ours.

What visions rise above the years,
What tender memories throng,
Till the eye fills with happy tears,
The heart with grateful song!

Vanish the mists of time and sense;
They come, the loved of yore,
And one encircling Providence
Holds all for evermore.

O, not in vain their toil who wrought
To build faith's freer shrine, —
Nor theirs whose steadfast love and thought
Have watched the fire divine.

Burn, holy fire, and shine more wide!
While systems rise and fall,
Faith, hope, and charity abide,
The heart and soul of all.