Classic Poem

O MAKER ! of almighty skill,
Whose word all wonders can fulfil,
Where'er the sun, where'er the planets shine,
Exertion and effect at once are thine.

God! great and manifest around,
In earth, and air, and depth profound,
In every movement, animals that breathe,
And all the beauties visible beneath.

But nobler works about his throne,
And brighter glories are his own,
Where high o'er heav'n the loves his Spirit mates,
And virtues, graces, mercies he creates.

A saint is a stupendous thing,
Sublimest work of Christ the king;
For ere his blessed Saviour can succeed,
How many foes to foil, and veins to bleed!

Soon as the Lord resum'd the skies,
He put up his immortal prize,
And in a full maturity of soul,
Great Stephen ran the first, and past the goal.

His therefore is the champion's crown—
And his the firstlings of renown—
O GRACE, thou never rais'd a sweeter flow'r,
Which sprang, and gemm'd, and blossom'd in an hour.

Then welcome to a quick reward,
Ev'n in the bosom of the Lord,
To hear, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful friend,
‘Receive thy Saviour's joy, that knows no end.

‘Beyond the bliss of ear or eye,
‘Beyond the heart's conception high,
‘Beyond the topmost flight of mortal ken,
‘Hosanna! halelujah! and amen.’—