Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/161



ACRED, O God, to Thee,

This home of ours,

Its sunny slopes and fields,

Its peaceful bowers;

Sacred, O God, to Thee,

Thine may it ever he,-

Both Thine and ours.

Here may the children learn.

To lisp Thy praise;

Here infant hearts grow strong

In wisdom's ways;

All that is evil spurn,

For all true goodness yearn, →

All to Thy praise.

And let Thy favor rest

On those whose love

Opened this rural home,

Garden, and grove;

As all the good are blest,

Thy blessing on them rest,

Heaven and love.

After the weeping May,

Springs a bright June;

After a brief eclipse,

Shines the full moon;

After earth's twilight ray,

Be ours a peaceful day, -

Heaven's glorious noon.

11, 1886.