HYMN, WRITTEN FOR THE MEETING OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, AT CHATHAM STREET CHAPEL, NEW YORK, HELD ON THE 4TH OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, 1834.

John Greenleaf Whittier

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O Thou, whose presence went before
  Our fathers in their weary way,
As with Thy chosen moved of yore,
  The fire by night, the cloud by day!

When from each temple of the free,
  A nation's song ascend to Heaven,
Most Holy Father! unto Thee,
  May not our humble prayer be
     given?

Thy children still, though hue and form
  Are varied in Thine own good will,
With Thy own holy breathings warm.
  And fashioned in Thine image still.

We thank Thee, Father! hill land plain
  Around us wave their fruits once
     more,
And clustered vine and blossomed 
     grain
  Are bending round each cottage
     door.

And peace is here; and hope and love
  Are round us as a mantle thrown,
And unto Thee, supreme above,
  The knee of prayer is bowed alone.

But oh, for those tis day can bring,
  As unto us, no joyful thrill;
For those who, under Freedom's
     wing,
Are bound in Slavery's fetters still:

For those to whom Thy written word
  Of light and love is never given;
For those whose ears have never heard
  The promise and the hope of heaven!

For broken heart, and clouded mind,
  Whereon no human mercies fall;
Oh, be Thy gracious love inclined,
  Who, as a Father, pitiest all!

And grant, O Father! that the time
  Of Earth's deliverance may be near,
When every land and tongue and
     clime
  The message of Thy love shall hear;

When, smitten as with fire from heaven,
  The captive's chains shall sink in
     dust,
And to his fettered soul be given
  The glorious freedom of the just!