University of Virginia Library


143

THE FOURTH OF JULY REMEMBERED.

SCHOOL CELEBRATION, JULY 24, 1832.

How brightly shone heaven's holy light,
Along the path our fathers trod!
They girded them to deeds of might,
Depending on the arm of God.
So in the guiding cloud by day,
So 'mid the night, in pillared flame,
Did Israel see the chosen way,
Marked by their God, where'er they came.
Loosed from a foreign monarch's yoke,
The children of the brave and free,
O God, Thy blessing we invoke,
And yield glad homage, Lord, to Thee.
Our Father, let our happy land
Still smile beneath Thy guardian care;
Let peace be ours, by Thy command,
And health be wafted on the air.
We bless Thee for the joys we know;
We praise Thee for this happy day;
Still guide us, in the paths we go,
And lead us in Thy own right way.