We have not seen

“We have not seen Thy footsteps tread

This wild and sinful earth of ours,
Nor heard Thy voice restore the dead

Again to life’s reviving powers:
But we believe—for all things are

The gifts of Thine Almighty care.”

“We have not seen the billowy sea

Grow calm and still at Thy command,
Nor the dim orbs again to see,

Beneath the healing of Thine hand:
But we believe the Fount of light

Again could give those eyeballs sight.”

“We did not see Thee tread the wave;

We did not hear the voice from heaven,
Which once with awful warning gave

That God’s own Son for us was given.
But we believe—oh! strengthen Thou

The faith which to Thy Name we owe.”

“We did not see the armed throng

Steal to the garden’s midnight shade,
And watch the palm-tree’s boughs among,

Then quail beneath Thy glance afraid:
But we believe—Almighty love

Alone could such dark moments prove.”

“We did not see the darkness veil

With sudden gloom the noon-day skies;
Nor the fierce soldier’s cheek grow pale;

And priestly mockery veil their eyes;
When the proud Roman owned the power

Of heaven, ’twas in that awful hour.”

“We did not hear the footsteps fall

Within that lonely garden ground,
Of the all-wakeful sentinel,

Slow tracing there his watchful round;
But we believe—the Holy One

Bursting that tomb, in glory shone.”

“We were not with the chosen few

Who saw Thee through the clouds ascend,
Who gazed, and wished to follow too,

Then on the earth all prostrate bend;
But we believe that mortal eyes

Beheld the journey to the skies.”

“Chase every shade of doubt away;

‘Light of the World!’ in mercy shine;
Illume with faith our erring way,

We would no worship own but Thine.
Bring us to heaven’s peaceful shore,

And make us Thine forevermore!”

--Ann Richter (1792-1857)