Niagara! thy waters were not made
A toy for puny mortals’ idle gaze.
Thine is a hymn eternal, and the tones
Of thy mysterious voice ascend the skies,
And pour the strains of Nature’s melody
Before the throne of Him who made the earth,
And seas, and skies, and all that in them is.

 

Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848

This link takes you to the scanned version of  the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust

See the Table of Contents of the Table Rock Album on this site.

Look, look up; the spray is dashing,
‡‡Roaring waters foam and sweep, —
O’er your head the torrent dashing,
‡‡Hurls its grandeur down the steep.
O, mortal man beneath such splendours,
‡‡How trifling, mean, and vain, and poor!
Prepare, then, sinner, to surrender
‡‡All thoughts unhallowed and impure.
Terrific is the scene around you —
‡‡Mark ye how wild the waters ring;
Columns of wreathing cloud surround you —
‡‡This is Thy work, O God, our King!

Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848

This link takes you to the scanned version of  the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust

See the Table of Contents of the Table Rock Album on this site.

Now take, Great Spirit, this my prayer on high,
Quick as the lightning through yon dark blue sky —
Go, tell my wants, my wishes and my love —
Go, waft my praises to the God above.

 

Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848

This link takes you to the scanned version of  the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust

See the Table of Contents of the Table Rock Album on this site.

From hallowed shrines let holy incense rise,
In wreathing volumes to the azure skies,
To speak the grateful homage of the soul,
When man would own his Maker’s high control.

But spices spread upon the marble mound,
Or perfumes scattered on the humble ground,
Or prostate head, or bended knees alone,
Find no acceptance at the heavenly throne.

So costly churches and the glittering dome,
May prove that wealth hath found religion’s home,
But Nature’s wonders must inspire the heart,
That worships God by love and not by art.

Vain are the hymns which feeble choirs may raise,
Compared with Nature’s all pervading praise;
So like the praises of Niagara’s roar,
Our praise should rise from this forevermore.

For ‘t is the heart devoted and sincere,
Bowing in grateful love and holy fear —
The up-turned eye with an imploring gaze,
The heart-felt prayer, the joyous song of praise.

‘Tis the firm faith, the conduct free from guile,
The mind exempt from thoughts that may defile,
The strict obedience to our Maker’s laws —
That prove the votaries of religion’s cause.

Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848

This link takes you to the scanned version of  the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust

See the Table of Contents of the Table Rock Album on this site.