The Poetical Works of Robert Montgomery :: :: University of Virginia Library

“Do ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at baptism, ratifying and confirming the same?”—Order of Confirmation.

Lord of the blissful worlds above,
Incarnate Light, celestial Love!
Send from Thy prayer-moved mercy-seat
The grace of grace, Thy Paraclete.—
A touching sight for solemn tears,
Like prophecies of future years,
Under the aisles of hoary fane
Is now enacted: Faith, and Prayer,
O'er each young conscience come and reign,
And, with The Spirit, bless them there!

Round the rail'd altar humbly kneeling,
On each bow'd form, o'erfraught with feeling,
Anointed Hands will soon be laid;
And righteous prayers be duly pray'd;

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Nor doubt we that a Gift divine
Shall with the mitred priest's combine.—
An ancient Rite, replete with glory,
By meek apostles used and loved,
Church of the Lord! is now before thee,
By martyrs blest, and saints approved.

But oh, ere yet that sealing grace
God's death-pang won to bless our race,
In answer to this prayer descend,
“Arise, O Lord! this child defend,
Daily increase that store divine
Of love and light which make him Thine,”—
Member of Christ! thou child of God!
Thy central heart examine now;
The narrow way if thou hast trod
Enquire, and ratify thy vow.

To you baptismal life was given
By virtue of its Source in heaven;
And vow'd ye were, for Christ and Cross
To count the world as painted dross:
The burden now 'tis yours to bear!
And can ye unto Christ declare
That awful vow your spirits bore,
When ye, as helpless babes were brought,
Baptised, and made for evermore
God's own to be, in will and thought?

Thou, of thy feeble Self afraid!
Trembling with truth, a pensive maid,
Through thy fringed lid the tearful gaze
The secret of thy soul betrays;
And through that veil of virgin white
Soft tremors reach thy mother's sight.
Pale candidate! though pure and young,
Thy heart is trepid unto tears,
And with a saintly horror wrung,
Lest sin betray thine unborn years.

“Your promise, can ye here renew?”
That deep reply, “O Lord, we do!”
Oh, is it not an awful word
By God and list'ning Angels heard?
Heaven echoes back the binding vow,
And Fiends abash'd, before it bow;
And writhe in darkness, thus to see
A virgin heart which grace inspires,
So consecrate to Deity
Its faith, its feeling, and its fires.

Yet, at the altar kneel in prayer;
Tremble, but hope, for Christ is there!
He will not fail this burden'd hour
To strengthen thee with loving power;
And when confirming hands are spread
In faith upon thine awe-bow'd head,
Thrill'd into speechless thought, whilst thou
Wilt feel Eternity draw nigh,
The heart of Him who hears thy vow
In heaven responds to every sigh.

He knows thee, loves thee, reads thy soul,
Can circle thee with blest control;
And in return for thy vow'd heart
Himself by gift and grace impart.
But, ah, mistake not; hectic zeal
Is but the flush warm fancies feel:
Of these beware, impassion'd Youth!
Nor heed what thrill'd emotions say;
They only love, who live the truth,
And walk in peace the perfect way.

Poetic thrills may soon depart,
And barren oft, some burning heart;
Emotions in themselves are nought
Except to Christian action brought;
Nor is one glorious promise given
To souls which only sigh for heaven.
High feelings to the sense appear
A creed the world may beauteous call,
But Christ hath made this doctrine clear,—
One daily cross transcends them all!