FATHER, we would plead Thy promise, bending at Thy glorious throne, That the isles shall wait upon Thee, trusting in Thine arm alone! One bright isle we bring before Thee, while in faith Thy children pray For a full and mighty blessing, with united voice to-day. Gracious Saviour, look in mercy on this Island of the West, Win the wandering and the weary with Thy pardon and Thy rest: As the @3only@1 Friend and Saviour let Thy blessèd name be owned, Who hast shed Thy blood most precious, and forever hast atoned! Blessèd Spirit, lift Thy standard, pour Thy grace, and shed Thy light! Lift the veil and loose the fetter; come with new and quickening might: Make the desert places blossom, shower Thy sevenfold gifts abroad; Make Thy servants wise and steadfast, valiant for the truth of God. Triune God of grace and glory, be the isle for which we plead Shielded, succored with Thy blessing, strong in every hour of need; Flooded with Thy truth and glory (glowing sunlight from above), And encompassed with the ocean of Thine everlasting love. Oh, surround Thy throne of power with Thine emerald bow of peace: Bid the wailing, and the warring, and the wild confusion cease. Thou remainest King for ever,—Thou shalt reign, and earth adore! Thine the kingdom, Thine the power, Thine the glory evermore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TIRED TIM by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE THE PLANTATION CHILD'S LULLABY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS [WHEN HE WAS SEIK] by WILLIAM DUNBAR AFAR IN THE DESERT by THOMAS PRINGLE THE MOURNER A LA MODE by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |