Ralph Waldo Emerson - Hymn lyrics

SUNG AT THE SECOND CHURCH, AT THE ORDINATION OF REV. CHANDLER ROBBINS We love the venerable house Our fathers built to God;— In heaven are kept their grateful vows, Their dust endears the sod. Here holy thoughts a light have shed From many a radiant face, And prayers of humble virtue made The perfume of the place. And anxious hearts have pondered here The mystery of life, And prayed the eternal Light to clear Their doubts, and aid their strife. From humble tenements around Came up the pensive train, And in the church a blessing found That filled their homes again; For faith and peace and mighty love That from the Godhead flow, Showed them the life of Heaven above Springs from the life below. They live with God; their homes are dust; Yet here their children pray, And in this fleeting lifetime trust To find the narrow way. On him who by the altar stands, On him thy blessing fall, Speak through his lips thy pure commands, Thou heart that lovest all.