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| TO prayer, to prayer;—for the morning breaks, | |
| And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes. | |
| His light is on all below and above,— | |
| The light of gladness, and life, and love. | |
| Oh, then, on the breath of this early air | 5 |
| Send upward the incense of grateful prayer. | |
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| To prayer;—for the glorious sun is gone, | |
| And the gathering darkness of night comes on; | |
| Like a curtain from God’s kind hand it flows, | |
| To shade the couch where his children repose. | 10 |
| Then kneel, while the watching stars are bright, | |
| And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night. | |
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| To prayer;—for the day that God has blest | |
| Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest. | |
| It speaks of creation’s early bloom; | 15 |
| It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. | |
| Then summon the spirit’s exalted powers, | |
| And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours. | |
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| There are smiles and tears in the mother’s eyes, | |
| For her new-born infant beside her lies. | 20 |
| Oh, hour of bliss! when the heart o’erflows | |
| With rapture a mother only knows. | |
| Let it gush forth in words of fervent prayer; | |
| Let it swell up to Heaven for her precious care. | |
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| There are smiles and tears in that gathering band, | 25 |
| Where the heart is pledged with the trembling hand: | |
| What trying thoughts in her bosom swell, | |
| As the bride bids parents and home farewell! | |
| Kneel down by the side of the tearful pair, | |
| And strengthen the perilous hour with prayer. | 30 |
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| Kneel down by the dying sinner’s side, | |
| And pray for his soul through Him who died. | |
| Large drops of anguish are thick on his brow; | |
| Oh, what are earth and its pleasures now! | |
| And what shall assuage his dark despair, | 35 |
| But the penitent cry of humble prayer? | |
| |
| Kneel down by the couch of departing faith, | |
| And hear the last words the believer saith. | |
| He has bidden adieu to his earthly friends; | |
| There is peace in his eye that upward bends; | 40 |
| There is peace in his calm, confiding air; | |
| For his last thoughts are God’s, his last words prayer. | |
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| The voice of prayer at the sable bier! | |
| A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer. | |
| It commends the spirit to God who gave; | 45 |
| It lifts the thoughts from the cold, dark grave; | |
| It points to the glory where he shall reign, | |
| Who whispered, “Thy brother shall rise again.” | |
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| The voice of prayer in the world of bliss! | |
| But gladder, purer, than rose from this. | 50 |
| The ransomed shout to their glorious King, | |
| Where no sorrow shades the soul as they sing; | |
| But a sinless and joyous song they raise, | |
| And their voice of prayer is eternal praise. | |
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| Awake, awake! and gird up thy strength, | 55 |
| To join that holy band at length! | |
| To Him who unceasing love displays, | |
| Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise,— | |
| To Him thy heart and thy hours be given; | |
| For a life of prayer is the life of Heaven. | 60 |
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