Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.
Hymn for the Opening of Thomas Starr Kings House of Worship
By John Greenleaf Whittier (18071892)A
The solemn minarets of the pine,
And awful Shasta’s icy shrine,—
And organ-thunders never fail,
Behind the cataract’s silver veil,—
Our poor reed-music sounds thy praise:
Forgive, O Lord, our childish ways!
We urge thee not with selfish prayers,
Nor murmur at our daily cares.
Our country’s bleeding heart we lay,
And dare not ask thy hand to stay;
For union, but a union free,
With peace that comes of purity!
And, smiting through this Red Sea wave,
Make broad a pathway for the slave!
We trust nor rite nor word nor deed,
Nor yet the broken staff of creed.
To each, as to the multitude,
Eternal Love and Fatherhood,—
Stretch dumbly forth our hands, and feel
Our weakness is our strong appeal.
We wait to see with thy forgiven
The opening Golden Gate of Heaven!
Shall holier altars rise to thee,—
Thy Church our broad humanity!
Soft bells of peace shall ring its chime,
Its days shall all be holy time.
The music of the world’s accord
Confessing Christ, the Inward Word!
One hope, one faith, one love, restore
The seamless robe that Jesus wore.