Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

Blessed be Thou for all the joy
     My soul has felt to-day!
     Oh, let its memory stay with me,
     And never pass away!

     I was alone, for those I loved
     Were far away from me;
     The sun shone on the withered grass,
     The wind blew fresh and free.

     Was it the smile of early spring
     That made my bosom glow?
     'Twas sweet; but neither sun nor wind
     Could cheer my spirit so.

     Was it some feeling of delight
     All vague and undefined?
     No; 'twas a rapture deep and strong,
     Expanding in the mind.

     Was it a sanguine view of life,
     And all its transient bliss,
     A hope of bright prosperity?
     Oh, no! it was not this.

     It was a glimpse of truth divine
     Unto my spirit given,
     Illumined by a ray of light
     That shone direct from heaven.

     I felt there was a God on high,
     By whom all things were made;
     I saw His wisdom and His power
     In all his works displayed.

     But most throughout the moral world,
     I saw his glory shine;
     I saw His wisdom infinite,
     His mercy all divine.

     Deep secrets of His providence,
     In darkness long concealed,
     Unto the vision of my soul
     Were graciously revealed.

     But while I wondered and adored
     His Majesty divine,
     I did not tremble at His power:
     I felt that God was mine;

     I knew that my Redeemer lived;
     I did not fear to die;
     Full sure that I should rise again
     To immortality.

     I longed to view that bliss divine,
     Which eye hath never seen;
     Like Moses, I would see His face
     Without the veil between.