993. C. M. Anonymous.
On Occasion of a Destructive Fire.
1Eternal God, our humbled souls
Before thy presence bow;
With all thy wasting magazines,
How terrible art thou!
2The flames thy messengers become,
And their destruction pour,
And that which we in strength had reared
Lies mouldered in an hour.
3Within our pleasant places, Lord,
Destruction rears its head,
And blackened walls and smoking heaps
Along our streets are spread.
4Lord, in this hour we come to thee,
With awe adore thy name;
Yet bless the hand of guardian love,
That snatched us from the flame.