Poems (Hale)/Autumn Hymn
AUTUMN HYMN.
Low at Thy throne, great God! we bend,
Our filial sacrifice to raise;
While to Thy gracious throne ascend
Our mingling notes of prayer and praise.
Our filial sacrifice to raise;
While to Thy gracious throne ascend
Our mingling notes of prayer and praise.
Again Thy presence would we seek;
For pardon to Thy throne we turn:
The contrite heart, the spirit meek,
Father! Thy love will never spurn.
For pardon to Thy throne we turn:
The contrite heart, the spirit meek,
Father! Thy love will never spurn.
That love, our sure, unfailing shield,
Preserved us through the former year;
Its strength, all powerful, was revealed
When danger, doubt, and death were near.
Preserved us through the former year;
Its strength, all powerful, was revealed
When danger, doubt, and death were near.
To Thee our harvest-gift we bring;
Let all the harvest-anthem swell.
Accept the meed, Eternal King!
And let Thy influence with us dwell.
Let all the harvest-anthem swell.
Accept the meed, Eternal King!
And let Thy influence with us dwell.
Our gift,—it is the low-breathed prayer,
The swelling strain of grateful praise.
Our tongues Thy glory shall declare,
Whose goodness crowns our lengthened days.
The swelling strain of grateful praise.
Our tongues Thy glory shall declare,
Whose goodness crowns our lengthened days.
So, when life's autumn day shall come,
And call Thy servants to their rest,
Grant we may sing our "harvest home,"
'Mid the bright myriads of the blest.
And call Thy servants to their rest,
Grant we may sing our "harvest home,"
'Mid the bright myriads of the blest.
In holier, more angelic strains,
Our harps shall join the choir above,
Where grandeur, glory, rapture reigns,
And heaven is one wide realm of love.
Our harps shall join the choir above,
Where grandeur, glory, rapture reigns,
And heaven is one wide realm of love.