OMNIPRESENCE

JOHN M. DEAN

O Brooding Spirit, hovering ever near,
In every clime and time still, still the same,
Thy loving benediction calms all fear
And checks intruding error's subtle claim.
Bowed heads, lift up! Away, ye beds of pain!
The prayer of knowing wakes to life again.

No separation can we ever know,
The torch of Truth eternal guides our way;
Thy peace attends our path where'er we go,
And promised manna feeds us day by day.
Nor death, nor hell can cleave us from They love,
Nor storm-clouds hide the sunlit peaks above.

No gloom of night can close our eyes on Thee,
No clamoring din can drown Thy still, small voice;
The lowering shadows bid us watchful be.
Till morning breaks and waiting hosts rejoice.
Come weal or seeming woe, from faithful hearts
The sunshine of Thy presence ne'er departs.