From Nature unto God

The wind that sweeps the fragrant wasteOf billowy clover seas,And breathes its mystic music throughThe greenery of the trees;The summer sun that drops its goldOn hill and plain and sea,The cooling shadows as they passSo still and noiselessly,—All these familiar sights and soundsAre beautiful to me.

The far blue hills that in the hazeOf distance fade away,The fleecy white clouds, mountain-born,That love at home to stay;The stretch of mellow purple skyArching in peace o'er all,—Building between the earth and heavenA thin dividing wall,—So thin that God can hear our prayersAnd answer when we call:

All these delightful things I love,Of earth, and sky, and air;They fill my soul with imagesOf light divinely fair!If such is earth beneath the curseOf lust, and pride, and sin,Earth where the threatening power of deathThroughout all time has been,—What must be heaven, where naught of thisCan ever enter in?

In all these gracious works I seeGod's mercy and His care;The world holds no place so remoteHis love cannot reach there.I cannot stray so far awayPrayer will not find His ear;In every place I know and feelHis strengthening Presence near;And if He loves and cares for me,What cause have I for fear?