993. C. M. Anonymous. On Occasion of a Destructive Fire.

1 Eternal God, our humbled souls
Before thy presence bow;
With all thy wasting magazines,
How terrible art thou!

2 The flames thy messengers become,
And their destruction pour,
And that which we in strength had reared
Lies mouldered in an hour.

3 Within our pleasant places, Lord,
Destruction rears its head,
And blackened walls and smoking heaps
Along our streets are spread.

4 Lord, in this hour we come to thee,
With awe adore thy name;
Yet bless the hand of guardian love,
That snatched us from the flame.