When first I saw the gleaming crest <br />Of temp'rance's silver star, <br />I watch'd it, till its radiance blest <br />Illum'd the world afar: <br />It rose in glory, and its rays <br />Shone bright at morn and even, <br />And promise gave of happier days <br />On Earth;-and hopes of Heaven. <br /> <br /> <br />I marked its glory-beaming light, <br />As up the heavens it sprung, <br />While o'er the Earth the clouds of night <br />No longer darkly hung; <br />And those bright rays of heavenly birth, <br />To erring man were given, <br />To wean his spirit from the Earth, <br />And point his way to Heaven. <br /> <br /> <br />Oh! may that bright and shining light <br />Still beam the wide world o'er, <br />To guide man's wand'ring footsteps right, <br />Till time shall be no more. <br />And then, when death the light of life <br />From this dull clay has riven, <br />The soul may soar in glad relief, <br />To yon bright home in Heaven.<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-light-of-temperance/
