ON REVISITING ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
AH! now again with joy I stand,
Where oft in childhood's hour I stood,
Or, kneeling with a worthy band,
In faith how strong, in works how good;
I see again the dim-lit aisle
Within this grand, this sacred pile.
Where oft in childhood's hour I stood,
Or, kneeling with a worthy band,
In faith how strong, in works how good;
I see again the dim-lit aisle
Within this grand, this sacred pile.
The organ's peal now moves my soul,
Reminding me of blissful years,
And waves of music sweetly roll—
How beautiful the scene appears;
Now softly opes the vestry door,
My sainted pastor[1] comes once more.
Reminding me of blissful years,
And waves of music sweetly roll—
How beautiful the scene appears;
Now softly opes the vestry door,
My sainted pastor[1] comes once more.
Still trembling on my ear, each wave
Of harmony, subdued and clear,
And echoing through the vaulted nave
The anthems, bringing heaven near,
A heart-renewing, touching strain,
How sweet, how sad, to meet again.
Of harmony, subdued and clear,
And echoing through the vaulted nave
The anthems, bringing heaven near,
A heart-renewing, touching strain,
How sweet, how sad, to meet again.
- ↑ Rev. Dr. Burroughs.
