O God, Above the Drifting Years

O God

above the drift­ing years

The shrines our fa­thers found­ed stand

And where the high­er gain ap­pears

We trace the work­ing of Thy hand.

From out their tire­less pray­er and toil

Emerge the gifts that time has proved

And seed laid deep in sac­red soil

Yields har­vests rich in last­ing good.

The torch of their de­vo­tion lent

Lightens the dark that round us lies;

Help us to pass it on un­spent

Until the dawn lights up the skies.

Form Thou our hearts with faith like theirs

Who served the days they could not see

And give us grace

through amp­ler years

To build the king­dom yet to be.