 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
On the First Church Built by the Puritans in 1634.
Still may it stand! For Time himself has spared,As if by miracle, the humble fane,
In which our fathers worshipped; when they dared
To seek Religious Freedom o'er the main.
Though poor and perishing unto the sight,
A glory seems to rest upon the place;
Its walls and roof are lit with heavenly light,
While we its history and purpose trace.
Their simple worship seems again restored,
Again we hear the hymn, the heart-felt prayer,
With them we listen to the preached Word,
And in each hallowed rite and service share;
Long as a sacred Relic, may we hold
The Church our fathers built to God of old.
Poem No. 439; c. 26 November 1861
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |