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IN HIS LIKENESS

“If I in thy likeness, O Lord, may awake,
And shine a pure image of thee,
Then I shall be satisfied when I can break
The fetters of flesh and be free.

“I know this stained tablet must first be washed white,
To let thy bright features be drawn;
I know I must suffer the darkness of night,
To welcome the coming of dawn.

“And O! the blest morning already is here;
The shadows of nature do fade;
And soon in thy likeness I’ll with thee appear,
In glory and beauty arrayed.

“When on thine own image in me thou hast smiled,
Within thy blest mansion, and when
The arms of my Father encircle his child,
O! I shall be satisfied then.”

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— May, 1886 —