64. hymn for the National fast, September 26, 1861.
With humbled hearts, great God, this day,Before Thy throne we sorrowing stand;
O hear our prayer, forgive our sins,
And turn Thy judgments from our land.
Our fathers placed their trust in Thee,
And Thou didst lead them like a flock;
Through Thee they stemm'd the wintry waves,
Through Thee they braved the battle's shock.
Be to the sons once more, O God,
As to their sires Thou wert so long;
Revive our faith, rebuke our fears,
And let us in Thy might be strong.
The clouds which thicken o'er our path,
'Tis Thine alone to chase away;
O! show the brightness of Thy face,
And turn our darkness into day.
Pour forth Thy Spirit, gracious Lord,
To help us in this hour of need;
Appease the rage which rends our land,
And bid its wounds no longer bleed.
[50] In vain we burnish sword or shield,
Without a blessing from on high;
If radiant with no smile from Thee,
In vain our banners sweep the sky.
Give counsel to our chosen chiefs;
Give courage to our marshall'd bands;
Let prayer, and faith, and trust in God,
Inflame their hearts, and nerve their hands.
In no resentment let them strike;
No hatred stain their holy cause;
But consecrated be each arm
To “Union, Freedom, and the Laws.”
And O! in Thine own time, restore
Good — will and peace from sea to sea;
And in each brother's breast revive
The love that springs from love to Thee.
So may our land, from danger freed,
With one consent Thy mercy own;
And every knee and heart be bent
In grateful homage at Thy throne.
“Not unto us-Not unto us,”
In joyful chorus then we'll sing;
“But all the glory, all the praise,
Be unto Thee, our God and King!”
