Jones Very (1813–1880)

NOT from the earth, or skies,

Or seasons as they roll,

Come health and vigor to the frame,

But from the living soul.

Is this alive to God,

And not the slave to sin?

Then will the body, too, receive

Health from the soul within.

But if disease has touched

The spirit’s inmost part,

In vain we seek from outward things

To heal the deadly smart.

The mind, the heart unchanged,

Which clouded e’en our home,

Will make the outward world the same

Where’er our feet may roam.

The fairest scenes on earth,

The mildest, purest sky,

Will bring no vigor to the step,

No lustre to the eye.

For He who formed our frame

Made man a perfect whole,

And made the body’s health depend

Upon the living soul.