Page:Opening of the Connecticut Asylum Sermon 1817.djvu/14



THE wild and solitary place Where lonely silence frown'd, Awakes to verdure, light and grace, With sudden beauty crown'd.

Through the long waste, neglected soil, A stream of mercy flows, And bids its thirsty desert smile, And blossom as the rose.

Ye feeble hands your strength renew; Ye doubtful hearts believe; Unclose your eyes, ye blind, and view; Ye sad, no longer grieve.

Behold! the deafen'd ear has caught Salvation's raptured sound; Praise to the speechless lip is taught, The helpless lost are found.

Say then, with joyful voice aloud, Jehovah's work we see, He hath his way within the cloud, His footsteps on the sea.

But righteous is he to perform, His word is truth indeed; And mid the sunshine or the storm, His purposes proceed.

While in this glad, inspiring hour, We praise Almighty grace and power, While strains of grateful music rise, E'en with their tone remembrance sighs.