A Collection of Original Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

The heav'ns instruct the earth
Their Maker to adore;
All, all, the work divine proclaim;
And praise him evermore.
Oh! how sublime, the rapturous song,
The melody how sweet,
When heav'n and earth in chorus join,
His wonders to repeat!
What harmony divine,
What loud acclaims arise;
All return the willing sound,
Fire, water, earth, and skies.
His vast, his boundless works,
Our feeble thoughts confound;
In vain our eyes explore,
For light but veils him round.

Of his immortal pow'r,
Dumb adoration speaks;
Night tells it to succeeding night,
Day to the day that breaks.
Yet wonder comes, our glimm'ring aid,
Wonder, the guide of man to God;
'Tis wonder lifts the searching eye,
And points the bless'd abode.
'Twas he, with twinkling stars, who grac'd
The raven down of night;
'Twas he, who on the day bestow'd
Yon solar orb of light.
Blest with his rays, creation smiles,
His influence how great.
Enlivening, cheering, quickning all,
With his prolific heat!
Mark! mark! how through the dusky gloom
He pours his cheering light;

While, like a giant, proud, he comes,
Exulting in his might.
His radiant course th'ambient air
With heav'nly fragrance fills;
Spreads richness thro' the humbler vale,
And decks the prouder hills.
Thy bounties, Lord, thy mild decrees,
When ravish'd we behold,
Well may we mourn the worldling's lot,
Who pines amidst his gold.
O! strengthen me in virtue's course,
Inspire with heav'nly awe;
So shall my soul thy words revere,
And humbly keep thy law.
Thy grace diffus'd, in youthful breasts,
There love and wisdom dwell;
And infants warm'd with truths divine,
The hoary sage excel.

Oh! let thy purer flame divine,
Be active to controul,
That guilt, which glares in open day,
Or darkling haunts the soul.
Thenceforth, thy word shall be my guide,
No glory will I claim,
But that the God, who gave me life,
And saves me, is the same.