On Cornubia's heath-clothed hills,
When the sun is setting low,
Bathing woodland, field, and sea
In a glorious golden glow,
Nature, clad in Beauty's garb,
Fair and wonderful to see,
Speaks with no uncertain sound
Of its Maker's majesty.
When the day its course has run,
And the lengthening shadows lie
In the valley,—while the bird
Nightly pours its melody;
When the sparkling star-lamps hang,
Diamond-like, from Heaven above,
Speak they not to those who hear
Of their Maker's pledge of love?
When the waving fields of grain,
Bow beneath the whispering breeze,
When the ripening fruits of earth,
Hide amidst the clustering leaves,
When the dews and rain descend
Heaven's pearl-drops to dispense,
Hear the voice to all the earth
Of the Maker's providence.
Wondrous earth and sea and sky,
Sprang from chaos; strange the birth,
Order, beauty, harmony—
Heaven's laws designed for earth.
Mighty Power spake—'twas done;
“Good” declared Eternal Mind.
Flowers, trees, and rolling sun,
Speak His power to mankind.
Yet how heavy are our ears
To these voices as they tell
Of His mind and power and might,
Wisdom vast, unsearchable.
Oh! how darkened are our eyes
To the beaming rays of light,
Heed we not the voice of Truth,
Care not for extended sight?
Why should human spirits dwell
In the caves of fear and doubt,
Cold and lifeless reasoning,
Keeping hope and light without?
Burst the barriers! Look around,
Hear the voice of Faith and Love,—
Beauty, Heaven, and peaceful Hope
Meets the vision. Look above!
Soaring Thought in ages past
Left the sordid paths below,
Rose by Faith's inspiring power,
Caught the truths which angels know,
Tuned the lyre at Heaven's gate,
Brought the strains to earth again,—
Earth yet vibrates with the sound,
Hear we now the sweet refrain.
Mighty voices of the Past
Come from prophet, priest, and seer,
From the holy martyr'd dead,
Ringing through the ages clear.
Work and wait,—let Duty's call
Evermore your watchword be;
He who knows the sparrow's fall
Cares most surely, man, for thee.
Though discordant tones surround,
Creeds and doctrines formed by men,
Truth perverted, error found,
Wrongs triumphant now and then,—
Though the times seem out of joint,
And the world looks all awry,
Truth shall conquer! Hear the voice—
“Right shall triumph by-and-bye!”
When the sun is setting low,
Bathing woodland, field, and sea
In a glorious golden glow,
Nature, clad in Beauty's garb,
Fair and wonderful to see,
Speaks with no uncertain sound
Of its Maker's majesty.
When the day its course has run,
And the lengthening shadows lie
In the valley,—while the bird
Nightly pours its melody;
When the sparkling star-lamps hang,
Diamond-like, from Heaven above,
Speak they not to those who hear
Of their Maker's pledge of love?
When the waving fields of grain,
Bow beneath the whispering breeze,
When the ripening fruits of earth,
Hide amidst the clustering leaves,
When the dews and rain descend
Heaven's pearl-drops to dispense,
Hear the voice to all the earth
Of the Maker's providence.
Wondrous earth and sea and sky,
Sprang from chaos; strange the birth,
Order, beauty, harmony—
Heaven's laws designed for earth.
Mighty Power spake—'twas done;
“Good” declared Eternal Mind.
Flowers, trees, and rolling sun,
Speak His power to mankind.
Yet how heavy are our ears
To these voices as they tell
Of His mind and power and might,
Wisdom vast, unsearchable.
Oh! how darkened are our eyes
To the beaming rays of light,
Heed we not the voice of Truth,
Care not for extended sight?
Why should human spirits dwell
In the caves of fear and doubt,
Cold and lifeless reasoning,
Keeping hope and light without?
Burst the barriers! Look around,
Hear the voice of Faith and Love,—
Beauty, Heaven, and peaceful Hope
Meets the vision. Look above!
Soaring Thought in ages past
Left the sordid paths below,
Rose by Faith's inspiring power,
Caught the truths which angels know,
Tuned the lyre at Heaven's gate,
Brought the strains to earth again,—
Earth yet vibrates with the sound,
Hear we now the sweet refrain.
Mighty voices of the Past
Come from prophet, priest, and seer,
From the holy martyr'd dead,
Ringing through the ages clear.
Work and wait,—let Duty's call
Evermore your watchword be;
He who knows the sparrow's fall
Cares most surely, man, for thee.
Though discordant tones surround,
Creeds and doctrines formed by men,
Truth perverted, error found,
Wrongs triumphant now and then,—
Though the times seem out of joint,
And the world looks all awry,
Truth shall conquer! Hear the voice—
“Right shall triumph by-and-bye!”