DECEMBER. 389 



Thou that created'st all ! Thou fountain 



Of our sun's light who dwellest far 



From man, beyond the farthest star, 

 Yet, ever-present ; who dost heed 

 Our spirits in their human need, 



We bless thee, Father, that we are ! 



We bless thee for our inward life ; 



For its immortal date decreeing ; 

 For that which comprehendeth thee, 

 A spark of thy divinity, 



Which is the being of our being ! 



We bless thee for this bounteous earth ; 



For its increase for corn and wine ; 

 For forest-oaks, for mountain-rills, 

 For cattle bn a thousand hills ; 



We bless thee for all good is thine ! 



The earth is thine, and it thou keepest, 



That man may labour not in vain ; 

 Thou giv'st the grass, the grain, the tree, 

 Seed-time and harvest come from thee, 



The early and the latter rain ' 



