Poems (Hale)/Lines written after an Ordination

​
LINES WRITTEN AFTER AN ORDINATION.
  If ever angel's wingDroop from its home of purity and bliss,Pardon, salvation, blessedness to bring,  It is in hours like this.
  The holy rite is done;The solemn, consecrating prayer is said.Servant of God and herald of his Son!  Peace be upon thy head.
  Fast to thy spirit girdThe shield of faith, to guard in danger's hour.Thy helmet be salvation, and His word  Thy sword of conquering power.
  Even as a daily dress,Truth's radiant robe of grace and glory wear.The shining breastplate of His righteousness  Like Christ's true soldier bear.
  Watchman on Zion's hill!Set the glad word of mercy to proclaim,Make known to men thy Father's gracious will,  And magnify His name.
  So when the Master's voiceShall summon thee in glory to appear,As peasant's heart at eventide, rejoice  The low-breathed call to hear.
​
  And as his weary feetTurn fondly to his home at close of day,So may thy heart with holy rapture beat,  To tread death's heavenward way.
  God keep thy soul in love,Strong through the conquering energy of prayer,Till gathered to His ministry above,  Thy Saviour greets thee there.

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.