 | Lyrics: By Martin F. Tupper |  |
139
The Burnt Church.
(St. George's, Doncaster.)
O wreck of many good and precious things,
O thousand glories shatter'd to the ground!
O Ruin,—where Destruction's fiery wings
Have flapp'd, and scorch'd, and ravaged all around!
O Providence,—whose deep determinings
No wisdom can defeat, no thought can sound,—
Alas! how shall we well and wisely search
The Mind of God in this—a ruin'd church?
O thousand glories shatter'd to the ground!
O Ruin,—where Destruction's fiery wings
Have flapp'd, and scorch'd, and ravaged all around!
O Providence,—whose deep determinings
No wisdom can defeat, no thought can sound,—
Alas! how shall we well and wisely search
The Mind of God in this—a ruin'd church?
143
For lo, the loss! Religion's beauteous fane,
For eight long centuries her holy home,
Where sacred story stain'd each pictured pane,
And Learning archived many a rare old tome,—
Where Gothic sculpture, lofty, pure, and plain,
Stood a protesting trophy won from Rome,—
All burnt, all blasted!—Who may read aright
The will of Heav'n in this unholy sight?
For eight long centuries her holy home,
Where sacred story stain'd each pictured pane,
And Learning archived many a rare old tome,—
Where Gothic sculpture, lofty, pure, and plain,
Stood a protesting trophy won from Rome,—
All burnt, all blasted!—Who may read aright
The will of Heav'n in this unholy sight?
Ye shall discern it, though your eyes be dim,
If teachably and humbly still ye search:—
God is a spirit; those who worship Him
Make not a mediate idol of His Church;
Mounting on eagle wings of cherubim,
They linger not to deck the temple-porch,—
But serving One whose temple is all space,
They seek Him always and in every place!
If teachably and humbly still ye search:—
God is a spirit; those who worship Him
Make not a mediate idol of His Church;
Mounting on eagle wings of cherubim,
They linger not to deck the temple-porch,—
But serving One whose temple is all space,
They seek Him always and in every place!
144
Yet, must we note the low estate of Man,
And help on earth his earthly nature still;
And, it is wise and duteous, where we can,
To counteract by good permitted ill;
And, if we work eternal Mercy's plan,
We glorify our God through man's free will;
And He that bade us worship Him aright
Said, Make My court and service your delight.
And help on earth his earthly nature still;
And, it is wise and duteous, where we can,
To counteract by good permitted ill;
And, if we work eternal Mercy's plan,
We glorify our God through man's free will;
And He that bade us worship Him aright
Said, Make My court and service your delight.
Therefore, with energy and zeal discreet,
Hasten to raise this holy house again;
With decent splendour, as is right and meet,
Give God once more His consecrated fane:
He waits in grace to bless your willing feet,
And those who serve Him, never serve in vain:
So bring your offerings, and your alms outpour,
And rear St. George for God and Man once more!
Hasten to raise this holy house again;
With decent splendour, as is right and meet,
Give God once more His consecrated fane:
He waits in grace to bless your willing feet,
And those who serve Him, never serve in vain:
So bring your offerings, and your alms outpour,
And rear St. George for God and Man once more!
| Lyrics: By Martin F. Tupper | |