Classic Poem

When drawing near the Mercy-seat, with close-shut closet-door,
And closed each avenue of thought where pressed the world before,
With rev'rence let thy spirit bend, as bend the lofty trees,
When o'er their heads sweeps strong and free the stormy autumn breeze;
Bow lower than for many a year, O man of spirit high!
And fervently with trusting heart send up this earnest cry,—
“O God! to our brave Stars and Stripes let victory be given;
‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as 'tis in heaven!’”

When comes the holy day of rest, and God's dear children meet
Within those walls where Jesus comes his followers oft to greet,
While songs of praise, like incense sweet, from grateful hearts ascend,
And human eloquence shall oft with heavenly wisdom blend,
Then let the patriot's earnest prayer, oft in his closet breathed,
Be echoed, and the promise claimed where many are agreed:
“O God! to our brave Stars and Stripes let victory be given;
‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as 'tis in heaven!’”

“Thy kingdom come!” through parted veils the truth shall then be seen,
And, as when Christ on Calvary died, the earth shall shake again;
Then thrones shall crumble, empires fall, and tyranny be o'er,
And Freedom's clarion voice proclaim Christ's reign from shore to shore;
Then shall each soul enslaved be free, and every fetter fall,
And He who gave the victory be crowned the Lord of all!
Well may we pray, “As one step forward, to us be victory given;
‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as 'tis in heaven!’”

“Thy will be done!” Oh! when, indeed, thy law is here obeyed,
Before the righteous rulers shall the evil be afraid;
Then fraud and falsehood, demons dread, their sable wings shall fold,
And not a Judas sell this land for silver or for gold;
Then 'neath his vine and fig-tree the patriot saint shall dwell,
And praise that guiding Providence “who doeth all things well,”
And sing with voice melodious, like that to seraphs given,
“‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as 'tis in heaven!’”