Page:The Easter Gift.pdf/21

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Thine altars where thy statues stood, Thy hymns and votive flowers, Were relics of another age, Another creed, than ours;

When human was all human faith And to that faith was given The likeness of its native earth, Rather than that of heaven;

When only reason's shadowy ray Upon the world was thrown, And every idol's attribute Had been the maker's own.

Then was the time of gift and vow, And e'en a purer light Was long ere it could penetrate The depths of such a night.

Old superstitions still remained, And priestcraft next stept in, To rule by human ignorance, And work by human sin.

Then was a veil flung over faith, Then was God's word concealed; Thank God, for us that veil is rent, That Book has been revealed.