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The
Gates of Time and Other Poems
by
Frederick George Scott
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AD
ECCLESIAM DEI
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O Church
of God, our Mother,
Upon thy queenly head
There broods the living Spirit
Whom Christ Himself has shed;
No more the dark dissensions,
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5 |
The
day of doubt is done,
When dangers gather round thee
Thy children stand as one.
O Church of God, our Mother,
Forgive the shameful past,
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10 |
The
worldly hearts that chilled thee,
The chains that bound thee fast;
Behold, from the horizon
The clouds have rolled away,
And now with clearer vision
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15 |
| Men
own thy gracious sway.
O Church of God, our Mother,
So bright thine annals shine,
The ages hold no triumphs
More wonderful than thine
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20 |
Thou
didst in old times cradle
Our rude and warlike race,
Thy sons are kings of honour,
Thy daughters queens of grace.
O Church of God, our Mother,
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25 |
The
new dawn rises fair,
And broader paths of glory
Are opening everywhere;
Beyond the ocean’s thunders,
As in the olden days,
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30 |
Thy
creeds give faith her utterance,
Thy voice her prayer and praise.
O Church of God, our Mother,
God’s wings are o’er thee spread,
And loyal sons are ready
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35 |
For
thee their blood to shed;
No more the dark dissensions,
The day of doubt is done,
And round thee in the battle
Thy children stand as one.
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40 |
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