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269
EVENING SONG.
FOR THE SABBATH DAY.
Millions within thy courts have met,
Millions this day before thee bow'd;
Their faces Zion-ward were set,
Vows with their lips to thee they vow'd:
Millions this day before thee bow'd;
Their faces Zion-ward were set,
Vows with their lips to thee they vow'd:
But Thou, soul-searching God! hast known
The hearts of all that bent the knee,
And hast accepted those alone,
In spirit and truth that worshipp'd Thee.
The hearts of all that bent the knee,
And hast accepted those alone,
In spirit and truth that worshipp'd Thee.
People of many a tribe and tongue,
Men of strange colours, climates, lands,
Have heard thy truth, thy glory sung,
And offer'd prayer with holy hands.
Men of strange colours, climates, lands,
Have heard thy truth, thy glory sung,
And offer'd prayer with holy hands.
270
Still, as the light of morning broke
O'er island, continent, or deep,
Thy far-spread family awoke,
Sabbath all round the world to keep.
O'er island, continent, or deep,
Thy far-spread family awoke,
Sabbath all round the world to keep.
From east to west, the sun survey'd,
From north to south, adoring throngs;
And still, where evening stretch'd her shade,
The stars came forth to hear their songs.
From north to south, adoring throngs;
And still, where evening stretch'd her shade,
The stars came forth to hear their songs.
Harmonious as the winds and seas,
In halcyon hours, when storms are flown,
Arose earth's Babel-languages,
In pure accordance to thy throne.
In halcyon hours, when storms are flown,
Arose earth's Babel-languages,
In pure accordance to thy throne.
Not angel-trumpets sound more clear,
Not elders' harps, nor seraphs' lays,
Yield sweeter music to thine ear
Than humble prayer and thankful praise.
Not elders' harps, nor seraphs' lays,
Yield sweeter music to thine ear
Than humble prayer and thankful praise.
271
And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,
Hath fail'd this day some suit to gain:
—To those in trouble Thou wert nigh;
Not one hath sought thy face in vain.
Hath fail'd this day some suit to gain:
—To those in trouble Thou wert nigh;
Not one hath sought thy face in vain.
Thy poor were bountifully fed,
Thy chasten'd sons have kiss'd the rod,
Thy mourners have been comforted,
The pure in heart have seen their God.
Thy chasten'd sons have kiss'd the rod,
Thy mourners have been comforted,
The pure in heart have seen their God.
Yet one prayer more;—and be it one,
In which both heaven and earth accord;
—Fulfil thy promise to thy Son,
Let all that breathe call Jesus Lord!
In which both heaven and earth accord;
—Fulfil thy promise to thy Son,
Let all that breathe call Jesus Lord!
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