“God is everywhere”

A Trodden daisy, from the sward, With tearful eye I took, And on its ruined glories I, With moving heart, did look; For, crushed and broken though it was, That little flower was fair; And oh! I loved the dying bud, For God was there! I stood upon the sea-beat shore, The waves came rushing on; The tempest raged in giant wrath, The light of day was gone. The sailor from his drowning bark Sent up his dying prayer; I looked amid the ruthless storm, And God was there! I sought a lonely, woody dell, Where all things soft and sweet, Birds, flowers, and trees, and running streams, Mid bright sunshine did meet: I stood beneath an old oak’s shade, And summer round was fair; I gazed upon the peaceful scene, And God was there! I saw a home—a happy home— Upon a bridal day, And youthful hearts were blithesome there, And aged hearts were gay: I sat amid the smiling band Where all so blissful were— Among the bridal maidens sweet— And God was there! I stood beside an infant’s couch, When light had left its eye— I saw the mother’s bitter tears, I heard her woful cry— I saw her kiss its fair pale face, And smooth its yellow hair; And oh, I loved the mourner’s home, For God was there! I sought a cheerless wilderness— A desert, pathless wild— Where verdure grew not by the streams, Where beauty never smiled; Where desolation brooded o’er A muirland lone and bare, And awe upon my spirit crept, For God was there! I looked upon the lowly flower, And on each blade of grass; Upon the forests, wide and deep, I saw the tempests pass: I gazed on all created things In earth, in sea, and air; Then bent the knee—for God, in love, Was everywhere!