RISE sacred dawn of everlasting day,
And guide my spirit on its heavenward way.
At thy approach the shades of night retire,
We feel the warmth of a celestial fire,
Imparting life and energy divine,
Which shall each wish subdue, each thought refine.
Thou beam celestial!thou eternal guide
To realms where tranquil joys alone abide;
Be thou the conquering leader in the field,
While mighty kings to thee their homage yield.
Thine is the power, which vice must ever dread,
To rouse the sleeping and awake the dead;
Thine are the hopes of everlasting rest,
Thine are the sweet enjoyments of the blest.
By thee illum’d no cloud shall intervene,
To shade the glories of a world unseen;
Thy cheering voice shall ev’ry doubt remove,
And fix our faith in God’s unchanging love.
Thou art the guide to lead us to his throne
Thou openest springs of pleasure, else unknown;
Pure joys that brighten as they reach the skies,
Which animate our hopes and bid the spirit rise.
Shortsighted man!to prize the passing joy,
Which time shall wither and the grave destroy;
While purer pleasures pass unheeded by,
The promised fruits of immortality.
These only blossom in the paths of time,
Bearing rich produce in a purer clime.
What are the joys that fill our mad career,
And chain the spirit to life’s narrow sphere,
Where disappointment mocks our constant toils,
And sorrow riots in its frequent spoils?
Wisdom is slightedfolly takes the rein,
Whose race is madnesswhose reward is pain;
Nor shall we find the recompence of peace,
Until her boundless government shall cease;
For sober wisdom looks beyond the skies,
And presses forward till she gain the prize.
Hail sacred friend of man! Religion, hail!
Let o’er the spacious globe thy light prevail;
Thy cloudless beams extend from pole to pole,
And heaven’s eternal sunshine cheer the soul,
Thy shout victorious sound on ev’ry shore,
While nations flock to thee, nor wander more.
(Elizabeth Bath)
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