Ode to God

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PRELIMINARY PROGRAM SELECTIONS.

[For the convenience of such members of the Y. M. M. I. A. as may not have text books containing selections for the preliminary pro- gram provided for in the Manual, the Era will print some of these in ample time for preparation. Below is presented Gabriel Romanovitch Derzhavin's "Ode to God," named in the first program for October. The author was born in Kazan, Russia, July 14, 1743, and died at Svanka, near Novgorod, July 6, (21, N. S.) 1816. "Ode to God" is the best-known poem of this Russian lyrical poet, and it is said to have been hung up in the palace of the emperor of China, printed in gold letters on white satin; and in like manner placed in the temple of Jeddo. Sir John Bow- ring, once British governor of Hong Kong, made the translation which follows. Editors.]

ODE TO GOD. DERZHAVIN.

thou eternal One! whose presence bright All space doth occupy, all motion guide Unchanged through time's all devastating flight! — Thou only God there is no God beside! Being above all beings! Mighty One, Whom none can comprehend and none explore, Who fill's t existence with thyself alone Embracing all, supporting, ruling o'er, Being whom we call God, and know no more!

In its sublime research, philosophy May measure out the ocean-deep —may count The sands or the sun's rays — but, God! for thee There is no weight nor measure; none can mount

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Up to thy mysteries; reason's brightest spark, Though kindled by thy light, in vain would try To trace thy counsels, infinite and dark; And thought is lost ere thought can soar so high, Even like past moments in eternity.

Thou from primeval nothingness didst call First chaos, then existence —Lord ! in thee

Eternity had its foundation; all Sprung forth from thee — of light, joy, harmony, Sole Origin — all life, all beauty thine; Thy word created all, and doth create; Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine; Thou art, and wert, and shalt be! Glorious! Great! Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate!

Thy chains the unmeasured universe surround Upheld by thee, by thee inspired with breath! Thou the beginning with the end hast bound. And beautifully mingled life and death! As sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze, So suns are born, so worlds spring forth from thee; And as the spangles in the sunny rays Shine round the silver snow, the pageantry Of heaven's bright army glitters in thy praise.

A million torches, lighted by thy hand, Wandered unwearied through the blue abyss They own thy power, accomplish thy command, All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss. What shall we call them? Piles of crystal light A glorious company of golden streams Lamps of celestial ether burning bright Suns lighting systems with their joyous beams? But thou to these art as the noon to night.

Yes! as a drop of water in the sea, All this magnificence in thee is lost: What are ten thousand worlds compared to thee? — And what am I then? Heaven's unnumbered host, Though multiplied by myriads, and arrayed In all the glory of sublimest thought,

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PRELIMINARY PROGRAM SELECTIONS. 915

Is but an atom in the balance, weighed Against thy greatness — a cipher brought is

Against infinity! What am I then? Naught!

Naught! But the effluence of thy light divine, Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom too; Yes! in my spirit doth thy spirit shine As shines the sun-beam in a drop of dew. Naught! but I live, and on hope's pinions fly Eager toward thy presence; for in thee I live, and breathe, and dwell; aspiring high,

Even to the throne of thy divinity. I am, God! and surely thou must be!

Thou art! — directing, guiding —thou all art! Direct my understanding then to thee; Control my spirit, guide mv wandering heart; Though but an atom midst immensity, Still I am something, fashioned by thy hand! I hold a middle rank 'twixt heaven and earth On the last verge of mortal being stand, Close to the realms where angels have their birth, Just on the boundaries of the spirit-land!

The chain of being is complete in me In me is matter's last gradation lost, — And the next step is spirit Deity! I cancommand the lightning, and am dust! A monarch and a slave — a worm, a god! Whence came I here, and how? so marvelously Constructed and conceived? unknown! this clod Lives surely through some higher energy; For from itself alone it could not be!

Creator, yes! Thy wisdom and thy word Created me! Thou source of life and good! Thou spirit of my spirit, and my Lord! Thy light, thy love, in their bright plenitude Filled me with an immortal soul, to spring Over the abyss of death; and bade it wear The garments of eternal day, and wing