LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IlilllllililililillP 015 863 411 9 OTHEO CENTENNIAL G^CAROL.^J' BY J. CLIFT. AUTHOR OF " THE NEW CREATION," " THE UNFOLDING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD," " GOD IN MAN, HIS kingdom's come," &c., &e. COPYRIGHT APRIL 12, I87C, BY JOHiy DI^IFT. All Rights Reserved y-" u:.-^.?>(^^ PHILADELPHIA: X^- ,. 1876. Ch-1 THE 1. The Centennial of Freedom, that God gave to man, It is echoed from earth here to day — It's the spirit of freedom Breaking over the world, Of liberty and Truth in full sway. 2. The Spirit of truth awoke up within The freedom we hold with such zest, Its a crown of His blessing; A Father's caressing, Ii's His love, in His dealing with us. The Spirit of man's Maker, breathed on him, New life he diffused in His own. And liberty for watchword He gave him in wright, And we triumph in Him that we own. With a jealous eye, we watch over the trust, Fearing naught whatever may betide ; We hold fast the freeJom Vouchsafed unto us, .\nd we look to its author as our guile. It's a gem of the first water He gave us; It's a rest to the weary and faint, And it's this that His smile, Cheer us on all the while, Ifs his love, to us, that he sent. .6. We watch and labor as we march oa And to him, we look for the future For it was in Him That our liberty began. And we now hail Hitn cur Creator, Having realized His blessing in plenty and peace, We are fearless and go on rejoicing, For in God is our trusty In Him trutli has its birthj And we hail Him in this Exposition. We've unfurled the banner of freedom and love: It floats over the brave and the free : It's the emblem of our choice, Ifs a pearl of great price, And on it is inscribed Liberty. Our land it is fair, fruitful and blessed. Our homestead it is bright and gay — With liberty in our hands And love in our hearts, We in freedom our time pass away. 10. Washington, that is a name we adore, His spirit remain with us still, It represent (hose That he ransomed by right. It's the triumph of peace and goodwill. 11. The light of truth that beamed on his soul. His conquering spirit called forth, In the arena of right With boldness he stood, Claiming liberty now and henceforth- 12. He was valiant in truth, for justice he fought. He knev; nought but freedom and love. For determined was he. Yes, he fought to be free, And victory crowned him from above. 13. And now he's at rest and delivered up his trust With his njaker in bleSsing doth reign. He's in peace with the blessed Is no longer molested. And is free from all tumult and pain. 14- THe realms of light. (Iiat now is his home, He reigns in bright radiance above. In his maker's delight, Having triumphed in right. He's adored by the angels of love. 15. y.es,: now and forevermore, his spirit we adore; In joyful remembrance we greet him, This our Centennial year,- Our hero will be here. And with rapturous joy we'll embrace him. 16. And we hail him with delight, claiming God and our Peace, love, and truth is our greeting, [right, For he reigns in our hearts, Never more to depart. It's thetriumph of love in God's kingdom. 17. And ye brethren and friends that your sympathies blend, To our Centennial came from afar ; Friendship's right hand, To you we extend. Of goodwill and brotherly care. 18. We welcome you all to freedom's great halls; Here our hearts and our spirits are free. In the land of our birth May you taste of its worth. And eckt) our great .Jubilee. 19. In our meeting dear friends here let us sing. And thus raise our spirits above, To him that hath called us In a hallelujah chorus. Of our meeting in brotherly love. '20. The spirit of freedom and love we embrace, A creation of power within us . It's the footprints of peace On the pathway of bliss, And we hail it because it's our rest. 51. Hero we bask in tbe sansbine of freedom and love, And invite all mankind to enjoyn, For the banner is unfurled That shall float over the world, It has truth, peace and love for ensign. 22. From all tumult and strife into nevi^ness of life. Come with us ye sons that are weary, We say come and unite With us in the right, And partake of the prize we love dearly. 23. So the great family humane, as it's said it began In oneness of heart and in freedom, Now is come the day of rest — The long looked for in the past. The light and delight of God's wisdom. 24. And now that the day of our joy is come ; It is like the sun of the morning Breaking forth on the soul, Of creation's mighty whole, Ripening freedom's fruit here in Eden. 25. So is creation borne on by truth, In the spirit of beauty and freedom ; For the divine power of the soul. That stamp the mighty whole. Is the reign of love in God's Kingdom. JOHN CLIFT. Philadelphia, April, 1876. U. S. A. >5feA LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 863 411 9