Classic Poem

I hear it often in the dark,
I hear it in the light, —
Where is the voice that calls to me
With such a quiet might?
It seems but echo to my thought,
And yet beyond the stars;
It seems a heart-beat in a hush,
And yet the planet jars!

Oh, may it be that far within
My inmost soul there lies
A spirit-sky , that opens with
Those voices of surprise?
And can it be, by night and day,
That firmament serene
Is just the heaven, where God himself,
The Father, dwells unseen?

O God within, so close to me
That every thought is plain,
Be Judge, be Friend, be Father still,
And in thy heaven reign!
Thy heaven is mine, — my very soul!
Thy words are sweet and strong;
They fill my inward silences
With music and with song.

They send me challenges to right,
And loud rebuke my ill;
They ring my bells of victory,
They breathe my " Peace, be still!
They ever seem to say, — " My child,
Why seek me so all day?
Now journey inward to thyself.
And listen by the way!"