The sun is setting, and his parting rays
Are lighting up the Temple of the Lord
With a rich radiance. They are pouring now
Upon the sacred altar, where they rest,
As if well pleased to bean upon the band
Now gathered there, of young hearts who have come
From conning the rich page of sacred lore,
And learning of the the wondrous love of Christ,
To close this hallowed day by lifting up
Their youthful voices in the full response
Of "Glory unto God!" That when the sun
Goes down in splendor, as he felt the joy
Of finishing his journey with a smile,
They, too, may hear a soft and angel voice,
Light whispering to the heart, "thy duty's done."
It is a motley group, and curious eyes
Might find employment here, to mark the gaze
Of sobered thought - upon the brows of some
The smile of childhood sweet and innocent,
Yet hallowed in its very mirth - the wild
And dark, and flashing eye, that, half cast down,
Betrays some consciousness of holy time.
And there is one beneath this beauteous sky
Which God's own hand hath fashioned, who could look
Upon this youthful band, and curl the lip
Of cold and haughty scorn, to childhood's prayer?
Who never felt the mountain of his tears
Broke up within him? - who could never deign
To pray with us, and wish, oh! fervently
For childhood's faith and pure simplicity?
May there be such? I know not: but I know
That he whom God hath given us to watch
Over our souls, as he must give account,
And who is bidding us to hope in Heaven,
And place our treasure there, on whom all eyes
Are bent, with fond, yet reverent confidence,
Is not like such. For he would rather lead
The wandering, erring ones, and like his Lord,
Clasp to his heart each child, though ignorant,
And straying from the fold.
The prayer is done;
The echoes of the voices have now ceased, and eve
Is stealing fast, and we must leave this place,
This Holy Sanctuary; yet we will not leave
The memory of this hour, but let it come,
A soft and twilight thought, to calm our hearts
When the wild 'wildering dreams of youth will rush
Between our souls and God; and then when Death
Shall come to us - for as the glittering orb
Of day hath set and sunk, even so shall set
The sun of Life, and soon, to each of us,
All worldly things shall fade and pass away -
Then at no earthly altar shall we stand,
But bow before the throne of God , and join
Our voices in blest union with those
The glorious and glorified, in Heaven!
