Classic Poem

O father! when the soften'd heart
Is lifted up in pray'r to thee;
When earthly thoughts awhile depart,
And leave the mounting spirit free;

Then teach us that our love, like thine,
O'er all the realms of earth should flow,
A shoreless stream, a flood divine,
To bathe and heal the heart of woe.

Then Afric's sons shall hear no more
The tyrant's in the Christian's name;
Nor tears of wasting anguish pour
Unpitied o'er their life of shame.

But, taught to love thee, by the love,
That bids their long-worn fetters break,
They, too, shall lift their souls above,
And serve thee for thy mercy's sake.