 | Prismatics |  |
WHERE IS THE HOLY TEMPLE?
Where is the holy temple—where the fane
Which sin-sick souls may seek, for heavenly grace,
And casting off all earthly care and pain,
Find resting-place?
Where, as upon the sacred mount, the dew
Gently descends the parchéd grass reviving;
The blessing falls—the sinner feels anew
His faith surviving!
Where is the faithful watchman? Where the tower
From whence the cry is heard, “Repent and live?”
Where is the manna, that in latest hour
Relief can give?
And casting off all earthly care and pain,
Find resting-place?
Where, as upon the sacred mount, the dew
Gently descends the parchéd grass reviving;
The blessing falls—the sinner feels anew
His faith surviving!
Where is the faithful watchman? Where the tower
From whence the cry is heard, “Repent and live?”
Where is the manna, that in latest hour
Relief can give?
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Not in these marble piles of sculptured glory,
Where the lulled sense alone is gratified;
Of earthly pomp the vain repository,
And human pride.
Not where the organ peals, the voices soar,
In sounds voluptuous from harmonic choirs;
Not where the saint-emblazoned windows pour
Irradiate fires.
Here shall the lowly hope; the haughty quail;
The guilty melt with soul-subduing fears?
The secret, drooping heart at length unveil
Its urn of tears?
Alas! not here abides the dispensation;
Seek then thy closet; weeping, kiss the rod;
Pour out thy grief with earnest supplication
And trust in God!
Where the lulled sense alone is gratified;
Of earthly pomp the vain repository,
And human pride.
Not where the organ peals, the voices soar,
In sounds voluptuous from harmonic choirs;
Not where the saint-emblazoned windows pour
Irradiate fires.
Here shall the lowly hope; the haughty quail;
The guilty melt with soul-subduing fears?
The secret, drooping heart at length unveil
Its urn of tears?
Alas! not here abides the dispensation;
Seek then thy closet; weeping, kiss the rod;
Pour out thy grief with earnest supplication
And trust in God!
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