THOUGHTSSUGGESTED AT AN ORDINATION AT THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 25, 1856.
WITHIN this temple we have come to-day,
Where we, O Father, have so often come,
Striving thy precepts ever to obey
And ask a blessing on thy chosen son;
The air seems purer as these aisles we tread,
The autumn sun streams through the tinted panes,
The sacred elements are duly spread,
Emblems of love to wash away our stains.
Where we, O Father, have so often come,
Striving thy precepts ever to obey
And ask a blessing on thy chosen son;
The air seems purer as these aisles we tread,
The autumn sun streams through the tinted panes,
The sacred elements are duly spread,
Emblems of love to wash away our stains.
Ambassadors of Christ, white-robed, they kneel
Within the chancel,—'tis a solemn sight,
Their hearts imbued with holy, heavenly zeal,
Here to perform the Apostolic rite:
Do angels hover o'er that youthful one,
Who now alone before the altar stands?
Exalted life, the ministry begun,
He calmly waits the laying on of hands.
Within the chancel,—'tis a solemn sight,
Their hearts imbued with holy, heavenly zeal,
Here to perform the Apostolic rite:
Do angels hover o'er that youthful one,
Who now alone before the altar stands?
Exalted life, the ministry begun,
He calmly waits the laying on of hands.
O vanish, all ye vapory cloudlets; roll,
Roll far away, ye mists, before his gaze;
Shine, fires of Heaven, and illume his soul,
Impart to him your everlasting rays.
Roll far away, ye mists, before his gaze;
Shine, fires of Heaven, and illume his soul,
Impart to him your everlasting rays.
