Beneath its glowing arch,
Along the hallowed ground,
I see cherubic armies march,
A camp of fire around.
I hear at morn and even,
At noon and midnight hour,
The choral harmonies of heaven
Earth's Babel tongues o'erpower.
Then, then I feel that he,
Remembered or forgot,
The Lord, is never far from me,
Though I perceive him not.
In darkness as in light,
Hidden alike from view,
I sleep, I wake, as in his sight
Who looks all nature through.
All that I am, have been,
All that I yet may be,
He sees at once, as he hath seen,
And shall forever see.
"Forever with the Lord;"
Father, if 'tis thy will,
The promise of that faithful word
Unto thy child fulfil!
So, when my latest breath
Shall rend the veil in twain,
By death I shall escape from death,
And life eternal gain.
JAMES MONTGOMERY.
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