'Truth crushed to earth will rise again.'
OH! TRUTH is mighty, and will prevail,
Though friends grow weary, and friendship fail;
It came from God, and it dwelleth here,
Like His blessed presence, forever near,
Though Faith be fickle, and Doubt arise
Like mists that darken the summer skies.
No cloud e'er formed but it broke away,
No night so dark but there came a day,
No rushing blast but an after calm,
No spirit-wound but may find a balm;
And man is wise when he recks not life,
But nerves his heart for its fray and strife.
A field of battle is this dark world,
The swords are drawn and the flags unfurled:
The clash resounds like the stroke of steel
And Error's minions give back and reel:
But Truth's white pennon is floating high,
Where angels guard it along the sky.
Oh Truth is mighty and Error vain,
For Folly leadeth its empty train!
Proud man's high vaunt is but empty breath,
For hearts are beating the march of death,
And though our words may be scornful here,
Our highest throne is the sable bier.
Then falter not when the wicked rise,
With haughty look and with words of lies:
Jehovah rules, and the time shall be
When Truth shall rise like an eagle, free!
Triumphant mount on its wings away,
To bask in rays of eternal day.
THE solemn Psalmist, David, slept
On Bethlehem's plain, alone and young,
And dreaming that his flock he kept,
He heard a holy anthem sung:
Jehovah's Spirit o'er him came,
And filling deep his raptured ear,
He heard the sound from harps of flame,
From hymning star and choral sphere.
They rolled along the Songs of Night -
The glory of the Lord, the theme;
With echoing swell, and cadence light,
O'er mountain wild and gliding stream
Till Earth took up the pealing hymn,
Answering back the Sons of God,
Contending for the praise of Him
Whose footsteps o'er creation trod.
'Light is Jehovah's countenance!' The setting sun all proudly said; Answered the crimson twilight's glance, 'His garment's fringe my beauty made!' The clouds above them, echoed, loud, 'His evening tent, how vast are we!' 'His voice is heard above the cloud,
His glory thunders!' said the sea.
'He rides upon my gentle wings!'
The rustling wind cried, murmuring by; The silent air responsive sings
"The quickening breath of God am I!' 'What songs are these, - what voices new?'
A cry from fainting earth arose ;
'Arouse! I'll bathe thee!' said the dew,
'And make thee blossom like the rose!'
Earth's children, smiling, then began:
'We blossom gladly!' said the field;
And through the full sheaves voices ran
'We are God's blessing in the yield,
God's host against stern hunger sent!'
'We bless you!' said the modest moon;
'We bless you!' cried the firmament,
And each star claimed to give the boon.
The grasshopper chirped, all sweet and clear,
'With drops of dew He blesses me!'
'And slakes my thirst!' replied the deer;
'And mine!' the leaf sung from the tree.
'He gives us food!' replied the roe;
'And clothes our lambs!' bleat out the flocks; 'And though through lonely earth we go, He hears us still!' the raven croaks.
The turtle-dove all gently cooed,
To answering birds that after slept,'He gave us nests all through the wood, He hath our habitations kept;
Upon God's altar safe we dwell,
Our plumage by his hand caressed;
Under his shadow sleep we well,
We slumber on in silent rest!'
In silent rest!' the Night replied, Prolonging deep the lingering tone, Till from his couch, with purple dyed, King Day resumed his glowing throne: Uprose the sun, and David woke ;
So rich in Psalms had been his dream, That ever from his lips it broke
Harmonious music,- God the theme.
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