Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/104



And wheresoe'er in earth's wide field, Ye lift, for Him, the red-cross shield, Be this your song, your joy and pride - "Our Champion went before and died."


 * If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? St. John iii. 12

Creator, Saviour, strengthening Guide, Now on Thy mercy's ocean wide Far out of sight we seem to glide.

Help us, each hour, with steadier eye To search the deepening mystery, The wonders of Thy sea and sky.

The blessed Angels look and long To praise Thee with a worthier song, And yet our silence does Thee wrong. -

Along the Church's central space The sacred weeks, with unfelt pace, Hath borne us on from grace to grace.

As travellers on some woodland height, When wintry suns are gleaming bright, Lose in arched glades their tangled sight; -

By glimpses such as dreamers love Through her grey veil the leafless grove Shows where the distant shadows rove; -

Such trembling joy the soul o'er-awes As nearer to Thy shrine she draws:- And now before the choir we pause.

The door is closed—but soft and deep Around the awful arches sweep, Such airs as soothe a hermit's sleep.

From each carved nook and fretted bend Cornice and gallery seem to send Tones that with seraphs hymns might blend.