O Thou, at whose rebuke, the grave
Back to warm life the sleeper gave,
Who, waking, saw with joy, above,
A brother’s face of tenderest love;—
Thou, unto whom the blind and lame,
The sorrowing, and the sin-sick came;
The burden of thy holy faith
Was love and life, not hate and death.
O, once again thy healing lay
On the blind eyes which know thee not,
And let the light of thy pure day
Shine in upon the darkened thought!
O, touch the hearts of men, and show
The power which in forbearance lies;
And let them feel that Mercy now
Is better than old Sacrifice!
Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #441
Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >
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