The forest minstrel :: :: University of Virginia Library

Thou who art enthroned in Glory,
Crowned with Love and robed in Grace,
Lo! we humbly bow before Thee,
Off'ring up our songs of praise.
Mighty God and gracious Saviour!
Spirit of enduring grace!
Come, in thine especial favour,
With thy Glory fill this place.

See the star whose rising splendour
Heralded a Saviour's birth,
Now in its meridian grandeur,
Smiles upon the joyous earth;
Heart, and hand, and effort blending,
In its radiance now we meet;
And our mingled pray'rs ascending
Seek thee on thy mercy-seat.

214

We would celebrate the changes
Which a Hundred Years have made,
Since our fathers—poor and strangers—
Sought the Western forest's shade.
From Helvetia's vine-clad mountains
Came a little friendless band;
By the rich Rhine's infant fountains,
Others left their father-land.

Germany's bright streams are flowing
Through the vales where others dwelt;
Or her mountain winds are blowing
Past the altars where they knelt.
Thou wert with them o'er the ocean,
To these wilds where freedom stray'd,
'Neath her bowers, with true devotion,
First these grateful pilgrims pray'd.

Here the little vine, increasing,
Spread its branches green and fair;
Now, by thine especial blessing,
See how wide thy vineyards are!
Come and take the ripen'd cluster—
All the vintage, Lord, is thine;—
But let mercy temper justice,
Where thou meet'st a fruitless vine.

Humble are the gifts we offer,
Bless them in thy grace divine;
Thou wilt not despise the proffer,
Though the universe is thine.
Make our gifts a rich oblation
Many a mourning heart to cheer,

215

While the light of thy salvation
Gilds each penitential tear.

Let our institutions flourish,
Sending forth a pious band,
With the words of life to nourish
All who hunger through the land.
Zion spreads her hands before Thee;
Come, and in her temples reign,—
While we give all praise and glory
To the triune God.—Amen!