["O God! in thy autumnal skies", in] Services in memory of Rev. William E. Channing . at the Arlington-Street Church, Boston, on Sunday evening, October 6, 1867 |
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 | ["O God! in thy autumnal skies", in] Services in memory of Rev. William E. Channing . |  |
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[O God! in thy autumnal skies]
O God! in thy autumnal skies
The dying woodlands glow and flame;
And, wheresoe'er we turn our eyes,
All-conquering Life! we trace thy name.
The dying woodlands glow and flame;
And, wheresoe'er we turn our eyes,
All-conquering Life! we trace thy name.
Bright emblem of that tranquil faith
Whose evening beams “Good-morrow” give,
Each leaf, transfigured, mutely saith,
“As dying, and, behold! we live.”
Whose evening beams “Good-morrow” give,
Each leaf, transfigured, mutely saith,
“As dying, and, behold! we live.”
God of the living,—not the dead!
Like autumn leaves we fade and flee;
Yet reigns eternal spring o'erhead,
Where souls for ever live to Thee.
Like autumn leaves we fade and flee;
Yet reigns eternal spring o'erhead,
Where souls for ever live to Thee.
From that pure upper world to-day
A hallowed memory meets us here,—
A presence lighting all our way
With heavenly thoughts and lofty cheer;
A hallowed memory meets us here,—
A presence lighting all our way
With heavenly thoughts and lofty cheer;
A mind whose luminous vision woke
Man's better soul with kindling might,
When that calm voice, inspiring, spoke
For Truth and Liberty and Right;
Man's better soul with kindling might,
When that calm voice, inspiring, spoke
For Truth and Liberty and Right;
A power that still uplifts the age,
That nerves men's hearts to manly strife,
That speaks from many a glowing page,
That lives in many a godly life.
That nerves men's hearts to manly strife,
That speaks from many a glowing page,
That lives in many a godly life.
Blest spirit! with the kindred band
Of saints and seers, the sons of light,
Still cheer us through this earthly land
With tidings from the heavenly height.
Of saints and seers, the sons of light,
Still cheer us through this earthly land
With tidings from the heavenly height.
Oh, help us meekly, bravely tread
The path of righteousness and love,
Till, joined to all the immortal dead,
We walk in cloudless light above!
The path of righteousness and love,
Till, joined to all the immortal dead,
We walk in cloudless light above!
| ["O God! in thy autumnal skies", in] Services in memory of Rev. William E. Channing . | |