THE NICENE CREED.
August Consistory, in whose dread pale
Together comes assembled Christendom;
While Kings, the nursing fathers, watch the scale!
They come, faint image of the general doom,
From the four winds of Heav'n, and with them meet
The spirits of their fathers from the tomb,—
Call'd by the witness-bearing Paraclete
To testify to wandering Israel.—
But who is set on Sion's judgment-seat?
'Tis One too glorious to be visible
To mortal eyes, but who unto the end
Dwells in his Church—the true Emmanuel.
He from the heights of Heav'n deigns to descend,
And takes his seat on David's ancient throne;
And, where Christ is, th'Angelic hosts attend.
He, mid the golden candlesticks alone
Walks, and attemper'd to divine accord
Th'assembled multitude His presence own.
Lo! in His voice is heard th'unfailing Word,
Like sound of many waters; and again
There goeth from His mouth a two-edg'd sword.
He high enthron'd above dark Error's reign,
With His Apostles round His sacred feet,
Shall yesterday, to-day, and aye remain.
Then wonder not that, where her children meet,
The Church but gathers up her ancient lays,
And fuller diapason doth repeat.
Thus in earth's distant mines are hid the rays,
Which light the breast-plate in Truth's living zone,
Bearing the voice of God to latest days;—
Strings brought together of responsive tone,
Which form a harp by Wisdom's holy spell,
From which proceeds the Church's orison;—
Stones wrought by unseen hands, and moulded well,
Which, knit together, build a mystic shrine,
Wherein resides a living oracle;—
And when it goeth forth,—Earth's furthest line,
And echo answers from the distant skies,
Acknowledging the voice of Truth divine.
Here in our solemn minster it doth rise
Like some ancestral pillar to behold,
The witness-stone inscrib'd with living eyes;
With sculptur'd tablets on each side enroll'd,
Writ by the finger of th'Eternal Son,—
The universal Faith which was of old.
Rest not without to gaze, but pass still on,
And thou shalt find within a sacred cell,
An holy altar, and a cross thereon,
Faith's oratory, and calm citadel,
Angelic haunts, the house of benison,
Where thou may'st grateful pray, and ever dwell.
