O say, thou great, exalted name! For States redeem'd our western reign Early in January, word reached America that the definite treaty of peace had been signed at Paris on November 30, 1783. The independence of the United States was acknowledged; the Mississippi was set as the western boundary of the country, the St. Croix and the Great Lakes as the northern, and the Gulf of Mexico as the southern. On January 14, 1784, this treaty was ratified by Congress. THE AMERICAN SOLDIER'S HYMN "T is God that girds our armor on, Lessons of war from Him we take, Tis God that still supports our right, Our universal safeguard He! Therefore to celebrate His fame, A day of solemn thanksgiving was set apart and universally observed throughout the country, which set its face toward the future, with a heart full of hope and high resolve. THANKSGIVING HYMN THE Lord above, in tender love, America has won the day, Through Washington, our chief; Come let's rejoice with heart and voice, And bid adieu to grief. Now we have peace, and may increase Will strive to do their parts. Then let's agree, since we are free, Use industry, and frugal be, Like Washington the brave; From present wars and future foes, While Washington, the great brave one, Industry and frugality Will all our taxes pay; In virtuous ways, we'll spend our days, The Thirteen States, united sets, The Lord himself preserve their health, Whilst every State, without its mate, To grieve there is no cause. But all should try, both low and high, Then sure am I, true liberty Of every sort will thrive; LAND OF THE WILFUL GOSPEL 265 Lo, Freedom reached forth where the world as an apple hung red; Let us taste the whole radiant round of it, gayly she said: If we die, at the worst we shall lie as the first of the dead. Knowledge of Good and of Ill, O Land! she hath given thee; Perilous godhoods of choosing have rent thee and riven thee; Will's high adoring to Ill's low exploring hath driven thee Freedom, thy Wife, hath uplifted thy life and clean shriven thee! Her shalt thou clasp for a balm to the scars of thy breast, Her shalt thou kiss for a calm to thy wars of unrest, Her shalt extol in the psalm of the soul of the West. For Weakness, in freedom, grows stronger than Strength with a chain; And Error, in freedom, will come to lamenting his stain, Till freely repenting he whiten his spirit "OH MOTHER OF A MIGHTY RACE" OH mother of a mighty race, And taunts of scorn they join thy name. For on thy cheeks the glow is spread Is bright as thine own sunny sky. Ay, let them rail- those haughty ones, Its life between thee and the foe. |