Caleb Davis Bradlee Famous Poems

Caleb Davis Bradlee was an ordained priest born on February 24, 1831 in Boston. Some of his work you will find attributed to CD Bradlee. His poems were written at the end of the eighteenth century, but even today they hold a place of their own.

Only A Little While

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Caleb Davis Bradlee Famous Poems

A little while! then we shall rest
Prom pain and care and sin;
And we shall find that God knew best
The hour that death should win.

A little while! the trump shall sound,
And what a change will come!
And what a light will fall around,
When mortal life is done.

A little while! then heaven we’ll see,
And angels gladly meet,
And find by God’s all wise decree
Our blessedness complete.

A little while! but faith must first
Transfigure all our days!
O’er all our lives must glory burst,
On all our lips be praise.

A little while! God, how long
Before the time shall come?
In that great hour may we be strong,
And save us, through thy Son!

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Lent

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

For forty days and nights, our Lord
Passed out from mortal sight!
And as the sacred men record,
Stood firmly by the right!

No Satan’s arts could change his will,
No tempter’s wiles mislead;
He kept his heart serenely stilt.
In the great hour of need.

“Get thee behind me,” cried he loud
To the false offers made;
And on his soul there came no cloud,
As he God’s voice obeyed!

So all upheld by his command,
And guided by his grace,
Must ever hold his gracious hand,
And gaze upon his face!

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A Day Lost

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

O count that day lost that sees no duty done;
No brave battles fought, and no victories won;
No great sins put down, no mighty truths attained;
No base passions lost, no solid virtues gained.

O count that day lost that finds thee not awake,
And ready for all things good for Jesus’ sake.
Day lost indeed, unless thou’rt ashamed to stay
Where thorns and thistles disfigure all the way!

O count that day lost that leads thee not to God,
Hard though be the pains, and sharp though be the rod;
That finds thee not the more holy and more strong,
And afraid of nothing but the path of wrong.

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Our Departed Ones

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Strange murmurs from the other land,
Strike right across the heart;
And all around, a spirit band,
Their cheering light impart.

Voices that were hushed long ago,
Again arouse our soul;
And the tears will unbidden flow,
As echoes round us roll.

Yes, with us by faith’s sacred call,
And by hope’s blessed way!
They will visit us, each and all,
By night, as well as day.

It is an inward power they bring,
These dear ones from above!
It is in angel tones they sing,
All full of peace and love!

Along with Jesus at our side,
Their constant help they give;
And they in Him all trust confide!
So would they have us live.

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Go With Us, Lord

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Go with us, Lord, help us to go,
The path of life. thyself dost know.
Keep us right, point out the way,
And lead us, step by step, each day.

We are faint, if we go alone,
Our hearts are cold and turned to stone;
Touch our hearts, and light thy fire,
Our thoughts and aims, each hour, inspire.

With thee, as guide, we cannot fall;
No pains can hurt, no fears enthrall
And all our work will grandly shine,
When all our souls are surely thine.

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The Eternal Presence Of God

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Lord, when we shall question in our heart,
Whether thou wilt stay with us, or depart,
Then let us hear our dear Redeemer say,
“Lo, I am with you always,” day by day.

Teach us we are watched by thy gracious eye,
That thou wilt surely hear the faintest cry,
That round us all is a sustaining arm,
And that nothing ever can do us harm.

And let us know that all our trials sent,
Are but gifts dispensed, by thy mercy lent,
And as we shall keep our hearts calm and still,
So grandly shall we meet our Father’s will.

And when life’s stormy battles all are fought,
And to life’s end thy children shall be brought,
then withdraw the curtain from above,
And bless us all by thy forgiving love.

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A Petition

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Father, our lives, by grace defend;
To foolish fears bring speedy end;
And never let a murmur rise
To thee, God of earth and skies!

Thy way, and all thy deeds make plain;
Teach us no blow is sent in vain;
Roll back the cloud that hides thy face;
Reveal thyself in every place.

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Night

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

The night has come, the light has fled,
The stars above us shine;
And while we sleep, and sense is dead.
Save us, God divine.

Why need we fear, sustained by thee
Who art forever true;
And wilt thou, as we bend the knee,
Thy love and grace renew?

Forgive the sins this day we’ve done,
Thy sacred help concede,
And wilt thou, O most holy one,
Be with us in our need?

And when the night of death is sent,
And work is done below,
And all our earthly power is spent,
Eternal blessings show.

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Listening For God

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

O may we listen for the mighty One
Who speaks in tones of love through Christ the Son,
And all through nature, and by each one’s heart,
Does a quickening life each hour impart.

The soul must find Almighty God in Him,
The most perfect image that ne’er grows dim ;
The gentle voice that teaches, all the time,
The rules and blessings of the Father’s clime.

And in nature’s beauties and glories grand,
Should each one detect the eternal hand,
And clearly know that skies, and land, and sea,
Will bring us up to God, on bended knee.

So, in the heart, a temple should be laid,
Adorned with faith, in hope and peace arrayed,
Where God shall love to come each week and day,
To bless each thought, and light each clouded way.

Almighty God, by thine eternal power,
In every way send grace, a blessed shower;
Great troops of angels from thy Heaven send down,
To guide our ways, and lead us to a crown!

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Come To God

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

O come to God to-day,
And wait not till the night,
Whilst never may you want to stray
From all things true and right.

O come to God to-day,
To him give all your heart,
And may his precepts be your stay,
Your guide, your light, your chart.

O come to God to-day,
Before Him prostrate fall;
For Christ, the life, the truth, the way,
Invites us one and all.

O come to God to-day;
And then when life is past,
And all that’s mortal shall decay,
True bliss shall come at last

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A Prayer

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Great God and King,
Our prayers we bring
This day!
give us light,
And inward sight,
Alway!

With trust and love,
We look above,
For grace!
Thy peace impart,
And show the heart
Thy face!

O leave us not
By Heaven forgot,
In tears!
But guide us well,
At once dispel
Our fears.

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The Ocean

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

I looked upon the Ocean, and calm it seemed, and fair,
The peace of the Almighty was surely resting there!

I listened to the Ocean, its ripples and its swell;
The voice of the Eternal, a message seemed to tell!

I bowed before the Ocean and all its fearful rage
Restrained by the good Father who made the shores its cage!

I stood by the old Ocean, and thought about our life,
Its days so full of changes that pass from calm to strife!

And the Ocean seemed to speak of a more gracious shore,
Where God would stay our billows and bless us evermore!

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Let Your Light Shine

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

O let your light shine, all clear and all bright,
Fear not to speak what you know to be right;
Hide not the thoughts that God puts in your heart,
And ever be glad thy strength to impart.

O let your light shine, for needy ones wait!
Your words always come in right royal state!
Bring now with much love your gifts of great power,
Thus make all holy each day and each hour.

O let your light shine, do all that you may
To help those in darkness find the true way!
Then out of heaven a grand blessing will come,
A voice will be heard – oh hear it – “Well done! “

O let your light shine, let all people see
That you and your Lord do always agree!
He gives the light and he wants it to shine,
And his will is right, and he is divine!

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The New Year – The Old Year

by Caleb Davis Bradlee

The Old year is going, — “good-bye,” let us say,
To its joys and its griefs that haunt us this day!
The New Year is coming, — “All hail,” let us cry,
And fresh rules of our lives again let us try.

The Old Year is going, and sad is our heart;
With work but half finished, we from it must part.
The New Year is coming, again we will pray
We may round off each task as God gives the day.

The Old Year is going, God wipe off the wrong
That to each one s heart does most surely belong!
The New Year is coming, God speed on the right,
And flood our poor souls with his all-cleansing light!

The Old Year is going, farewell to our friend!
Grand was thy coming, and most calm is thy end.
The New Year comes quickly, we hope for the best!
We’ll do all we can, and trust God for the rest.

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A Prayer To The Father

by Caleb Davis Bradlee

Our Father guide,
Our ways decide,
This day!

To thee we come,
Make us at home,
We pray!

Give us thy light;
Show us the right;
Help now!

Needy we cry,
Hear thou our sigh,
And vow!

Our sins forgive,
And let us live
All pure,

And when we sleep
In death, us keep
Secure!

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Where Is God

and how can we find Him?
by Caleb Davis Bradlee

Can any one tell where our God may be found?
Has He left anywhere, a mark or a sound?
Is He high up in Heaven, above the blue sky,
Looking down on us all, and counting each sigh?

Or is He here with us, and almost in sight,
And ever quite near us, by day and by night?
Or is He right in us, and close to the heart,
A light and a strength, and a peace, and a chart?

He is beyond us, and above the blue sky;
He is at our side, and will always seem nigh;
And He fills the whole soul of all who do well,
And right gracious truths to his children will tell!

But how can we find Him, and where is his home?
He is known in one way, through Jesus He’ll come!
And those who make Jesus their trust and their light,
Will find the dear Father, all safe and all right!

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God’s Christmas Gift

Poet Caleb Davis Bradlee

God saw the nations sweeping by,
And heard the people’s anguished cry,
“O give us light!”
Out of the skies he sent a babe,
The humble child in manger laid,
A striking sight!

Wise men and shepherds marched to see,
And to the babe they bent the knee,
And presents gave!
A “star” stood where the child was found,
And all the place seemed holy ground,
To men so grave.

But now that child is Lord and King,
And unto all will blessings bring,
Who hear his voice!
He asks of each and all the heart,
And ever will his grace impart;
O world rejoice!

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The Lord’s Prayer

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Our Father!
O that precious name
Which brings our God so near;
May its sweet grace our hearts inflame,
And take away our fear!

Father! that dear and holy word,
All filled with love and power;
A gift, by sacred lips conferred
At a most needy hour!

Father! yes, each of us a child
Of the Almighty King!
God grant our hearts, all pure and mild,
May grateful tributes bring.

Our Father, on earth, in heaven,
So dear throughout all time,
To each of us let there be given
A blessing from Thy clime!

Who Art In Heaven!
that world above,
Where saints their Father meet;
That splendid land of light and love,
And blessedness complete!

Who art in Heaven! our future rest,
If we on earth are true;
If God our souls has richly blessed,
Made clean, and white, and new!

Who art in Heaven! a place within
The centre of the heart;
If we are ever free from sin,
And bid all wrong depart!

Who art in Heaven! that gracious place,
That home of joy and peace,
Where souls arc filled with truth and grace,
And pleasures never cease!

Hallowed Be Thy Name
All holy be thy name, and great,
And grand, God, we pray;
And O, reveal thy royal state,
As we our homage pay.

And make us good, and pure, and kind,
And full of truth and light;
Of happy heart, and sacred mind,
And steady to the right!

Each idle thought, and wicked word,
Remove from lip and heart;
And be thy grace on all conferred,
And mighty love impart!

For thus we’d like to bless thy name,
By deeds that thou’lt approve!
We praise Thee best, with loud acclaim,
By works of peace and love!

Thy Kingdom Come,
Father grant,
With glory and with power!
No more we wish, no more we want,
As our eternal dower!

Its peace let down, its splendor shed,
Its beauty let us feel!
With angel’s food let us be fed,
And mighty love reveal!

Thy Kingdom come, and chase away
All other kingdoms, Lord!
Be thou alone our staff and stay;
And holy help afford.

Thy Kingdom come, through Christ the Son,
When breath shall cease to be,
When mortal life its race has ran,
That Kingdom let us see!

Thy Will Be Done On Earth, As It Is In Heaven
Thy will be done! God, thy will,
So sweet, so good, so pure;
Say to each trembling heart, Be still!
Make all, in Thee, secure.

Thy will! though darkness close us round,
And grief is at our side;
We’ll say, while bending to the ground,
Let God alone decide!

Thy will! though veiled, and sharp, and sad,
And full of fire and pain;
Thy will! for nothing can be bad,
That will, must be our gain!

Thy will, through Christ, be always done,
With each and every heart;
And wilt thou, most Holy One,
Thy healing help impart.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread!
Let us by sacred truth be fed.
Tis bread from heaven thy children need;
God, that holy bread concede!

The body wants thy daily care,
That it may all things do and dare;
More strength it craves, more life, more peace,
God, those splendid gifts increase!

The mind is weak, and longs for light,
And seeks for clearer, deeper sight,
And knows that all to God must go,
That He may gracious help bestow.

The soul is stained, and wants a cure,
And would at once all good secure!
God, send bread, a grand supply,
And hear thy children’s plaintive cry!

Forgive Us Our Debts, As We Forgive Our Debtors
Forgive our debts! God, they’re large,
We cannot bear the heavy charge!
Forgive, God, as we forgive,
And let us in thy presence live.

As we forgive I teach us how!
Humbly we stand before Thee now,
And know how hard to look away
From wrongs that meet us, day by day.

Make us, God, right good and kind,
And let no anger stir the mind;
And as we hope thy grace to feel,
Teach us our temper to conceal!

Almighty God, forgive and bless,
And fill us with thy righteousness!
Patient and gentle let us be,
And filled with peace, by thy decree!

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil
Father, do not let us go
In ways of sin, and paths of woe;
But save us all from shame and wrong,
And let us all to Thee belong!

May hands and hearts be kept away
From all things tainted with decay!I
And make us ever brave and true,
And really glad thy work to do!

If dangers come, and foes arise,
And we are filled with pains and sighs,
O send at once thy mighty aid,
And do not let us be dismayed!

For bold well stand, when God is near,
We’ll have no dread, and feel no fear;
Thy Rod and Staff will keep us right,
And make us victors in the fight!

For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power,
And The Glory, Forever and Ever. Amen
O God, the Kingdom shall be thine!
And ever shall thy glory shine!
Thy power is grand; thy truth so bright,
That it will fill us all with light!

Thy law is good, thy mercy sure,
And thou wilt help us to endure
All things that come, from day to day,
To shade our path, and hedge our way.

And may our lips be filled with praise,
And in our hearts let us raise
A holy tribute to thy name!
God, light up the grateful flame!

And then the prayer the Lord has taught,
Which o’er our souls a rest has brought,
Will fill those souls with peace and love,
And fix their gaze on Heaven above!

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The Voice Of God

Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

Again the voice of God is here;
Another dear one sleeps;
Yet God knows best, we will not fear,
For He the loved one keeps.

Father, help us in this our grief;
A double blow thou’st given!
Oh, send thy voice, a sure relief,
Right from the throne of heaven.

Say, “Peace, be still!” “Be of good cheer!’
The cloud shall soon depart,
If God and Christ are surely near,
And gracious aid impart.

Open ajar the gates above,
Let angels come and go,
All filled with peace and light and love,
To chase away our woe.

And in this band, oh, may we see
The two who’ve passed away,
That now, by thine all-wise decree,
Have found eternal day!

Their voice we’d hear, their presence feel,
And know that all is right,
And though they must their forms conceal,
Give us a spirit sight!

But God knows best, to Him we leave
Our cries, our wants, our tears
And all his blows in peace receive,
And banish all our fears.

He’s Gone From Us
Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

He’s gone from us, he’s seen the “Eye,”
The eye that ne’er grows dim!
The “Architect ” of earth- and sky
Will ever hallow him.

He stands beneath the ” Arch” of love,
Is spared all future pain!
He meets the Seraphim above,
Has found eternal gain.

He’s “square” with man and cleansed by God.
A “temple” of the King!
And now held up by “Staff” and “Rod,”
His vespers will he sing.

The Grand Master who rules o’er all,
Now covers him with light!
And at his “Altar” does he fall,
Where all is pure and bright.

O God, Why?
Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee

O God, why? Wilt Thou tell ns why?
It is not for us to say;
Yet hear Thou now the heart’s sharp cry,
As we miss the wife to day,

O God, why? Still Thy way is best,
Whilst we wonder, weep, adore!
“And wilt Thou give our Mother rest?”
The dear children now implore.

God, why? Still we know ’tis love!
We will wait in trust and peace!
Whilst parents ask, for child above,
The care that will never cease.

God, why? Ah, large numbers cry
O, why hast Thou sent this blow?
Yet none can tell the reason why!
It is not for us to know!

But unto Thee, through Christ, the Son,
Yield we up the stricken will;
And let us hear, Gracious One,
Out of the cloud, “Peace, be still!”

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