English poem
SABBATH DAY.
by Eliza Lee Cabot Follen (1787–1860)
How sweet upon this sacred day, The best of all the seven, To cast our earthly thoughts away, And think of God and heaven!
How sweet to be allowed to pray Our sins may be forgiven; With filial confidence to say, "Father, who art in heaven"!
With humble hope to bend the knee, And, free from folly's leaven, Confess that we have strayed from thee, Thou righteous Judge in heaven!
And if to make all sin depart In vain the will has striven, He who regards the inmost heart Will send his grace from heaven.
If from the bosom that is dear By cold unkindness driven, The heart that knows no refuge here Shall find a friend in heaven.
Then hail, thou sacred, blessed day, The best of all the seven, When hearts unite their vows to pay Of gratitude to Heaven.