A Nation’s Prayer

FOR
President William McKinley

Dear Lord, as in the wilderness
Thy people cried in great distress,
And thou didst lend thine aid and bless,
So hear us now when cares oppress,
     And grant our Nation’s prayer!

Forbid that o’er this land so bright
Should fall the curtains of the night
When Wrong shall triumph over Right,
And murderous hands put out the light
     Of Liberty and Peace.

Though stricken by the assassin’s hand
Lies low the noblest of our land,
Oh may we as the Pilgrim band
Strong in thy truth still firmly stand,
     Cast down, but not destroyed!

Thou art the ruler of our fate;
In thee we trust, though perils great
Surround our gallant ship of state,
And all the land seems desolate
     For one we love laid low! [29][30]

We will not fear, for bravely still
Our leader fights and fears no ill,
But calmly hopes and waits until
Shall be revealed thy sovereign will—
     Our Nation’s God and his!