 | [Poems by Longfellow in] Hymns of the spirit |  |
203
294.
GOD'S LAW AND LOVE.
L. M.
O God, in whom we live and move!
Thy Love is Law, Thy Law is Love;
Thy present spirit waits to fill
The soul which comes to do Thy will.
Thy Love is Law, Thy Law is Love;
Thy present spirit waits to fill
The soul which comes to do Thy will.
Unto Thy children's spirits teach
Thy Love, beyond the power of speech;
And make them know, with joyful awe,
The encircling presence of Thy Law.
Thy Love, beyond the power of speech;
And make them know, with joyful awe,
The encircling presence of Thy Law.
That Law doth give to Truth and Right,
Howe'er despised, a conquering might,
And makes each fondly-worshipped lie
And boasting wrong, to cower and die.
Howe'er despised, a conquering might,
And makes each fondly-worshipped lie
And boasting wrong, to cower and die.
Its patient working doth fulfil
Man's hope, and God's all-perfect will,
Nor suffers one true word or thought,
Or deed of love, to come to naught.
Man's hope, and God's all-perfect will,
Nor suffers one true word or thought,
Or deed of love, to come to naught.
381
553.
LIFE'S MISSION.
L. M.
Go forth to life, O child of earth!
Still mindful of thy heavenly birth;
Thou art not here for ease, or sin,
But manhood's noble crown to win.
Still mindful of thy heavenly birth;
Thou art not here for ease, or sin,
But manhood's noble crown to win.
Though passion's fires are in thy soul,
Thy spirit can their flames control;
Though tempters strong beset thy way,
Thy spirit is more strong than they.
Thy spirit can their flames control;
Though tempters strong beset thy way,
Thy spirit is more strong than they.
Go on from innocence of youth
To manly pureness, manly truth;
God's angels still are near to save,
And God himself doth help the brave.
To manly pureness, manly truth;
God's angels still are near to save,
And God himself doth help the brave.
Then forth to life, O child of earth!
Be worthy of thy heavenly birth!
For noble service thou art here;
Thy brothers help, thy God revere!
Be worthy of thy heavenly birth!
For noble service thou art here;
Thy brothers help, thy God revere!
438
635.
‘THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDETH FOREVER.’
7s M.
God of ages and of nations!
Every race, and every time,
Hath received Thine inspirations,
Glimpses of Thy truth sublime.
Ever spirits in rapt vision
Passed the heavenly veil within,
Ever hearts bowed in contrition
Found salvation from their sin.
Every race, and every time,
Hath received Thine inspirations,
Glimpses of Thy truth sublime.
Ever spirits in rapt vision
Passed the heavenly veil within,
Ever hearts bowed in contrition
Found salvation from their sin.
Reason's noble aspiration
Truth in growing clearness saw;
Conscience spoke its condemnation,.
Or proclaimed the Eternal law.
While Thine inward revelations
Told Thy saints their prayers were heard,
Prophets to the guilty nations
Spoke Thine everlasting word.
Truth in growing clearness saw;
Conscience spoke its condemnation,.
Or proclaimed the Eternal law.
While Thine inward revelations
Told Thy saints their prayers were heard,
Prophets to the guilty nations
Spoke Thine everlasting word.
439
Lord, that word abideth ever;
Revelation is not sealed;
Answering unto man's endeavor,
Truth and Right are still revealed.
That which came to ancient sages,
Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew,
Written in the heart's deep pages,
Shines to-day, forever new!
Revelation is not sealed;
Answering unto man's endeavor,
Truth and Right are still revealed.
That which came to ancient sages,
Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew,
Written in the heart's deep pages,
Shines to-day, forever new!
| [Poems by Longfellow in] Hymns of the spirit | |