Poems (Hale)/July 4, 1838
JULY 4, 1838.
A holy sight! for gathered there,
With head bowed low in silent prayer,
That youthful, yet immortal band,
Within their Maker's presence stand.
With head bowed low in silent prayer,
That youthful, yet immortal band,
Within their Maker's presence stand.
Called from each scene of week-day joy,
Far holier themes their thoughts employ:
Each tongue the choral anthem swells,
Where God's most holy Spirit dwells.
Far holier themes their thoughts employ:
Each tongue the choral anthem swells,
Where God's most holy Spirit dwells.
Grief hath not stained the sunny brow;
Joy's tearless fount flows brightly now:
Their budding hopes have known no blight,
And life still wears its hues of light.
Joy's tearless fount flows brightly now:
Their budding hopes have known no blight,
And life still wears its hues of light.
Jesus! the Life, the Truth, the Way!
Whose words conduct to endless day,
Shepherd! whose flock is still thy care,
Let those young lambs thy blessing share.
Whose words conduct to endless day,
Shepherd! whose flock is still thy care,
Let those young lambs thy blessing share.
And when life's summer day shall close,
And weary nature seeks repose,
To thy blest fold their footsteps bring:
Lead them where living waters spring.
And weary nature seeks repose,
To thy blest fold their footsteps bring:
Lead them where living waters spring.