Hymn of Joy
To the music of Beethoven's ninth symphony Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory,
Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Praising Thee their sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Centre of unbroken praise: Field and forest, vale and mountain, Blooming meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Well-spring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest! Thou our Father,
Christ our Brother, — All who live in love are Thine: Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the Joy Divine. Mortals join the mighty chorus, Which the morning stars began; Father-love is reigning o'er us, Brother-love binds man to man. Ever singing march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward In the triumph song of life.
Henry Van Dyke
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Four things a man must learn to do If he would make his record true: To think without confusion clearly; To love his fellow man sincerely; To act from honest motives purely;
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To Charles A Young, AstronomerTwo things, the wise man said, fill me with awe: The starry heavens and the moral law
Twilight in the Alps
I love the hour that comes, with dusky hair And dewy feet, along the Alpine To lead the cattle forth A thousand bells Go chiming after her across the fair And flowery uplands, while the rosy flare Of sunset on the snowy mountain dwells,<...
Reliance
Not to the swift, the race: Not to the strong, the fight: Not to the righteous, perfect grace: Not to the wise, the light But often faltering feet Come surest to the goal; And they who walk in darkness meet The sunrise of the soul...
