John Oxenham

A Little Te Deum For These Times

   We thank Thee, Lord,
   For mercies manifold in these dark days;—
   For Heart of Grace that would not suffer wrong;
   For all the stirrings in the dead dry bones;
   For bold self-steeling to the times’ dread needs;
   For every sacrifice of self to Thee;
   For ease and wealth and life so freely given;
   For Thy deep sounding of the hearts of men;
   For Thy great opening of the hearts of men;
   For Thy close-knitting of the hearts of men;
   For all who sprang to answer the great call;
   For their high courage and self-sacrifice;
   For their endurance under deadly stress;
   For all the unknown heroes who have died
   To keep the land inviolate and free;
   For all who come back from the Gates of Death;
   For all who pass to larger life with Thee,
   And find in Thee the wider liberty;
   For hope of Righteous and Enduring Peace;
   For hope of cleaner earth and closer heaven;
   With burdened hearts, but faith unquenchable,—
               We thank Thee, Lord!
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