Poems (Hale)/Dedication Hymn

by Mary Whitwell Hale

For works with similar titles, see Dedication Hymn.

DEDICATION HYMN.

O Thou, at whose supreme command
 This fair creation sprang to light!
We who within Thy presence stand,
 Ave less than nothing in Thy sight.

Yet shall Thy Spirit, rich and free,
 Within this earthly temple dwell:
Here shall our prayers ascend to Thee,
 Our praise as breathing incense swell.

To Thee, we rear these sacred walls,
 To Thee devote the hallowed shrine.
Here, as Thy mercy's sunlight falls,
 O'! be our noblest homage Thine.

Through Him, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
 Through Him, Thy holy, harmless Son,
We consecrate these walls to Thee,
 Eternal, Uncreated One!

Here may the early grace of youth,
 The hoary crown of age be given;
While simple, pure, resistless truth
 Descends as sacred dew from heaven.

And when at time's all-ruthless sway,
 This earthly temple, Lord, shall fall,
And Thou shalt close life's summer day,
 And back the unfettered soul recall,—

To Thine eternal shrine above,
 Grant that its golden wing may soar;
And at the fount of truth and love,
 The Eternal Source of light adore.