 | ["O God! While generations flee", in] The commemoration by the first church in Boston of the Completion of Two Hundred and Fifty Years since its foundation. On Thursday, November 18, 1880 |  |
172
[O God! while generations flee]
O God! while generations flee
Like leaves before Thy face,
Through endless ages Thou wilt be
Thy children's dwelling-place.
Like leaves before Thy face,
Through endless ages Thou wilt be
Thy children's dwelling-place.
Great Shepherd of the countless flock,
Where'er they rest or roam;
Their cheering sun, their sheltering rock,
Their everlasting home!
Where'er they rest or roam;
Their cheering sun, their sheltering rock,
Their everlasting home!
Our sainted fathers, where are they?
They slept, they woke in Thee,
And here in memory's light, to-day,
They walk serene and free.
They slept, they woke in Thee,
And here in memory's light, to-day,
They walk serene and free.
173
Roll back, O Time, thy ceaseless wave,
Bring round the day once more,
When first they trod, the free and brave,
This wild and wood-crowned shore.
Bring round the day once more,
When first they trod, the free and brave,
This wild and wood-crowned shore.
In God's first temple here they stood,
His breath inspired the air;
And through the green, o'erarching wood
Uprose their song and prayer.
His breath inspired the air;
And through the green, o'erarching wood
Uprose their song and prayer.
When days grew dark, they sowed in trust,
In patience, and in peace,
Assured that God, the wise and just,
Would give the seed increase.
In patience, and in peace,
Assured that God, the wise and just,
Would give the seed increase.
A large-armed tree, behold it now!
God's word its living root;
To children's children each broad bough
Brings healing, shade, and fruit.
God's word its living root;
To children's children each broad bough
Brings healing, shade, and fruit.
O Thou who led'st our sires of old,
Their grateful children lead;
Thy flock in shelter safe enfold,
In sunny pastures feed!
Their grateful children lead;
Thy flock in shelter safe enfold,
In sunny pastures feed!
Still guide our footsteps in the way
That climbs the morning height,
Thy law, O God! our cloud by day,
Thy love our fire by night!
That climbs the morning height,
Thy law, O God! our cloud by day,
Thy love our fire by night!
| ["O God! While generations flee", in] The commemoration by the first church in Boston of the Completion of Two Hundred and Fifty Years since its foundation. On Thursday, November 18, 1880 | |