I. <br />The mercy, O Eternal One! <br />By man unmeasured yet, <br />In joy or grief, in shade or sun, <br />I never will forget. <br />I give the whole, and not a part, <br />Of all Thou gayest me; <br />My goods, my life, my soul and heart, <br />I yield them all to Thee! <br /> <br />II. <br />We fast and plead, we weep and pray, <br />From morning until even; <br />We feel to find the holy way, <br />We knock at the gate of heaven <br />And when in silent awe we wait, <br />And word and sign forbear, <br />The hinges of the golden gate <br />Move, soundless, to our prayer! <br />Who hears the eternal harmonies <br />Can heed no outward word; <br />Blind to all else is he who sees <br />The vision of the Lord! <br /> <br />III. <br />O soul, be patient, restrain thy tears, <br />Have hope, and not despair; <br />As a tender mother heareth her child <br />God hears the penitent prayer. <br />And not forever shall grief be thine; <br />On the Heavenly Mother's breast, <br />Washed clean and white in the waters of joy <br />Shall His seeking child find rest. <br />Console thyself with His word of grace, <br />And cease thy wail of woe, <br />For His mercy never an equal hath, <br />And His love no bounds can know. <br />Lean close unto Him in faith and hope; <br />How many like thee have found <br />In Him a shelter and home of peace, <br />By His mercy compassed round! <br />There, safe from sin and the sorrow it brings, <br />They sing their grateful psalms, <br />And rest, at noon, by the wells of God, <br />In the shade of His holy palms!<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymns-of-the-brahmo-somaj/
