Classic Poem

God laid his rocks in courses,
With greenwood crowned the hill;
To yoke the ancient forces
He led the new-born will;
Man's will he woke to duty,
He graced the hand that wrought, —
Till in the temple's beauty
The Soul its Father sought.

To cloisters of the spirit
These aisles of quiet lead:
Here shall the vision gladden,
The voice within us plead;
And may the dear All-Father,
Who maketh trouble cease,
Here send his three strong angels,
Contrition, Hope and Peace!

The song these walls shall echo
Be song the heart within,
The prayer in consecration's
Sweet solitudes begin!
Work on, O silent Builder,
Perfect the inner shrine,
Till song pass into service,
Prayer into life divine!

Here be no man a stranger;
No holy cause be banned;
No good for one be counted,
Not good for all the land;
And here for prophet-voices
The message never fail, —
" God reigns! his Truth shall conquer,
And Right and Love prevail!"