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CONFIRMATION
The shadow of th’ Almighty’s cloud Calm on this tents of Israel lay, While drooping paus’d twelve banners proud, Till He arise and lead this way. |
Then to the desert breeze unroll’d, Cheerly the waving pennons fly, Lion or eagle — each bright fold A lodestar to a warrior’s eye. |
So should Thy champions, ere this strife By holy hands o’ershadowed kneel, So, fearless for their charmed life, Bear, to this end, Thy Spirit’s seal. |
Steady and pure as stars that beam In middle heaven, all mist above, Seen deepest in this frozen stream: — Such is their high courageous love. |
And soft as pure, and warm as bright, They brood upon life’s peaceful hour, As if the Dove that guides their flight Shook from her plumes a downy shower. |
Spirit of might and sweetness too! Now leading on the wars of God, Now to green isles of shade and dew Turning the waste Thy people trod; |
Draw, Holy Ghost, Thy seven-fold veil Between us and the fires of youth; Breathe, Holy Ghost, Thy freshening gale, Our fever’d brow in age to soothe. |
And oft as sin and sorrow tire, This hallow’d hour do Thou renew, When beckon’d up the awful choir By pastoral hands, toward Thee we drew; |
When trembling at this sacred rail We hid our eyes and held our breath, Felt Thee how strong, our hearts how frail, And long’d to own Thee to the death. |
For ever on our souls be trac’d That blessing dear, that dove-like hand, A sheltering rock in Memory’s waste, O’er-shadowing all the weary land. |
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