TO ——. ON THE MORNING OF HER BAPTISM.

This will we name thy better birth-day, child, O born already to a sin-worn world, But now unto a kingdom undefiled, Where over thee love’s banner is unfurled. Lo! on the morning of this Sabbath day I lay aside the weight of human fears, Which I had for thee, and without dismay Look through the avenue of coming years. I see thee passing without mortal harm Thro’ ranks of foes against thy safety met; I see thee passing—thy defence and charm, The seal of God upon thy forehead set. From this time forth thou often shalt hear say Of what immortal City thou wert given The rights and full immunities to-day, And of the hope laid up for thee in heaven. From this time forward thou shalt not believe That thou art earthly, or that aught of earth, Or aught that hell can threaten, shall receive Power on the children of the second birth. O risen out of death into the day Of an immortal life, we bid thee hail, And will not kiss the waterdrops away, The dew that rests upon thy forehead pale. And if the seed of better life lie long, As in a wintry hiddenness and death, Then calling back this day, we will be strong To wait in hope for heaven’s reviving breath; To water, if there should be such sad need, The undiscernèd germ with sorrowing tears, To wait until from that undying seed Out of the earth a heavenly plant appears; The growth and produce of a fairer land, And thence transplanted to a barren soil, It needs the tendance of a careful hand, Of love, that is not weary with long toil. And thou, dear child, whose very helplessness Is as a bond upon us and a claim, Mayest thou have this of us, as we no less Have daily from our Father known the same.