A sermon delivered at the opening of the Connecticut Asylum/Hymns

by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

The following hymns, composed for the occasion, made a part of the religious exercises of the evening.

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HYMN First. Isaiah, 35th Chap.

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.

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HYMN Second.

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.

He, who implor'd with zeal divine,
A blessing on this great design,
Now sleeps in dust; and sad we bend
To mourn the pastor and the friend.

Yet, oh! if angels cloth'd in light,
E'er hover round this vale of night;
If mortal wanderings ever prove
Their watchful glance of guardian love;

Perchance, he views his earthly home,
This lonely flock, this holy dome,
And while our humble prayers arise,
Aids with his harp the sacrifice.

But who can speak his boundless joys,
When those who heard their Shepherd's voice,
Shall meet him in a world of rest,
And join the spirits of the blest.

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HYMN Third.

YE happy, rescued throng,
Escap'd from gathering night,
Who mourn'd in darkness long,
While all around was light,

As through the cloud

The day-star gleams,

Oh! love the hand

That gave its beams.

And ye whose soften'd souls
Each generous feeling prove,
Whose prayers and labours aid
This ministry of love;

Jehovah's name

Conspire to raise;

His was the work,

Be his the praise.

Finis.