Page:Poems Rice.djvu/155

He, the chosen and the gifted,
 God-commissioned pastor, stands,
With his voice, his soul uplifted,
 For the laying on of hands.

Come and listen; see the picture;
 Longer how can ye rebel?
Standing on the verge, the threshold,
 Speak, beloved, speak and tell.
Now in saintly robes are bending
 Bishop, pastor; both unite
Love beseeching and defending,
 Children, for the mystic rite.

Trembling forms and hands are folded,
 Lo! around, the chancel rail;
Hearts the Saviour's love has moulded,
 Now received within His pale;
Penitential dews distilling,
 Precious more than fruits of gold;
Father, while our vows fullfilling
 May we hidden truths behold.

Sweet this contest in devotion,
 When in God's own house we kneel;
Sweet the changes, every motion
 Raptures undefined reveal;
Sympathy the chord has brightened,
 Linking all the pure in heart;
All our cares, our sorrows lightened,
 In a measure they depart.