In Memory of a Happy Day in February
Blessed be Thou for all the joyMy soul has felt to-day!Oh, let its memory stay with me,And never pass away!
I was alone, for those I lovedWere far away from me;The sun shone on the withered grass,The wind blew fresh and free.
Was it the smile of early springThat made my bosom glow?’Twas sweet; but neither sun nor windCould cheer my spirit so.
Was it some feeling of delightAll 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 divineUnto my spirit given,Illumined by a ray of lightThat shone direct from heaven.
I felt there was a God on high,By whom all things were made;I saw His wisdom and His powerIn 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 soulWere graciously revealed.
But while I wondered and adoredHis 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 againTo immortality.
I longed to view that bliss divine,Which eye hath never seen;Like Moses, I would see His faceWithout the veil between.