All are friends in heaven, all faithful friends, And many friendships in the days of Time Begun, are lasting there and growing still.

Who born so poor, Of intellect so mean, as not to know What seem'd the best and knowing not to do? As not to know what God and conscience bade, And what they bade not able to obey?

Rumour was the messenger Of defamation, and so swift, that none Could be the first to tell an evil tale.

The sun rejoicing round the earth, announced Daily the wisdom, power and love of God. The moon awoke, and from her maiden face, Shedding her cloudy locks, looked meekly forth, And with her virgin stars walked in the heavens-- Walked nightly there, conversing as she walked, Of purity, and holiness, and God.

But the unfaithful priest, what tongue Enough, shall execrate?

Mercy stood in the cloud, with eye that wept Essential love.

He was the freeman whom the truth made free Who first of all, the bands of Satan broke Who broke the bands of sin, and for his soul, In spite of fools consulted seriously.

With one hand he put A penny in the urn of poverty, And with the other took a shilling out.

Of all the phantoms fleeting in the mist Of time, though meagre all and ghostly thin Most unsubstantial, unessential shade Was earthly fame.

That bitter word, which closed all earthly friendships and finished every feast of love farewell!

The song Of Heaven is ever new for daily thus, And nightly, new discoveries are made Of God's unbounded wisdom, power, and love, Which give the understanding larger room, And swell the hymn with ever-growing praise.

Sin is dark and loves the dark, still hides from itself in gloom, and in the darkest hell is still itself the darkest hell and the severest woe.

Enjoyment stops where indolence begins.