"Let There be Light!" (1871)

When moved upon the waveless deep
     The quickening Spirit of the Lord, 
And broken was its pulseless sleep
     Before the Everlasting Word, 
Earth heard the voice “Let there be light!”
     O'er sullen wastes of chaos borne, 
And from the dark embrace of night
     Sprang up to greet her earliest morn!

No longer void, her bosom teemed
     "With life of tree, and plant, and flower; 
Nor formless more, as o'er her streamed
     The sunlight in a golden shower! 
What wondrous beauties stood revealed
     As in creation's march she trod, 
While suns and stars around her wheeled
     Obedient to the voice of God!

Then from the choirs celestial rang 
     Triumphantly the notes of song,
While morning stars together sang
     In concert with the heavenly throng;
With eager joy she caught the strain 
     That thrilled along her fields of air,
Till mount and valley, hill and plain,
     Seemed tremulous with praise and prayer.

O Thou, who art the fount of light,
     Pour light our darkened souls within! 
Speak the strong word again, whose might
     Shall scatter all the murk of sin; 
And let thy quickening Spirit move
     O'er the wild wastes of doubt and fear, 
Till order, beauty, faith, and love,
     Bright with thy sovereignty appear!