Lamp of our feet! whereby we trace

Our path, when wont to stray;

Stream from the fount of heavenly grace!

Brook by the traveller's way!

Bread of our souls! whereon we feed;

True Manna from on high!

Our guide, and chart! wherein we read

Of realms beyond the sky!

Pillar of fire—through watches dark!

Or radiant cloud by day!

When waves would whelm our tossing bark—

Our anchor and our stay!

Pole-star on life's tempestuous deep!

Beacon! when doubts surround;

Compass! by which our course we keep;

Our deep-sea lead— to sound!

Riches in poverty! Our aid

In every needful hour!

Unshaken rock! the pilgrim's shade,

The soldier's fortress-tower!

Our shield and buckler in the fight!

Victory's triumphant palm!

Comfort in grief ! in weakness, might!

In sickness—Gilead's balm!

Childhood's preceptor! manhood's trust!

Old age's firm ally!

Our hope—when we go down to dust—

Of immortality!

Pure oracles of Truth Divine!

Unlike each fabled dream

Given forth from Delphos’ mystic shrine,

Or groves of Academe!

WORD of THE EVER-LIVING GOD!

WILL OF HIS GLORIOUS SON!

Without Thee how could earth be trod?

Or heaven itself be won?

Yet to unfold thy hidden worth,

Thy mysteries to reveal,

That Spirit which first gave thee forth

Thy volume must UNSEAL!

And we, if we aright would learn

The wisdom it imparts,

Must to its heavenly teaching turn

With simple, child-like hearts!