Father! I bow with thankful heart this dayTo Thee. O wilt Thou hear my prayer?Far from the tumult of the world away,I feel, O God, Thy presence everywhere!The very stillness breathes Thy name,Awakening a purer flameOf sacred love within my inmost heart;Bidding distrust and doubting fears depart;Whispering, "Peace be still."Give me, my Father, more of trusting loveIn Thee, Thou ruler of all things beneath, above!Help me to do Thy will!
Father! I ask not fleeting wealth or power,Nor heartless worldly fame I seek;But in the stillness of this vesper hour,Clinging to Thee, I fain would speakSweet words of gratitude and praiseFor Thy all-holy, wondrous ways.Though wrapt in mystery oft they seem,Thy. smile through every cloud doth gleam,Lighting the darkest night.Though all forsake, Thou art a refuge sweet,A light to guide our weary, erring feetTo joys earth cannot blight.
I humbly ask that virtue's shielding wingBe ever o'er my pathway spread;That I to truth and purity may cling,And be by wisdom's precepts led.May envious hatred never stainMy heart; but generous love againWaken a sympathetic tear for others' grief,Prompting self-sacrifice to give reliefTo those with want oppressed;Thus reaping joy, contentment, love and peace,The richest harvest of terrestrial bliss,And Heaven's eternal rest.
