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SUNRISE

Harriet Beecher Stowe would get up every
morning at 4.30 am to watch the sun rise. It filled
her heart with delight! The beautiful colours
changing moment by moment as the shades of
night were scattered by the brightness of the
dawn. Then she read in Psalm 139, verse 17 and
18 these words: “How precious to me are your
thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count
them, they are more than the sand. I awake and am still with
you.” (English Standard Version.) Harriet’s reaction was to write
one of the most sublime and beautiful hymns ever written.

Still, still with Thee - when purple morning breaketh,
when the bird waketh and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness - I am with Thee!

Alone with Thee amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

Still, still with Thee - as to each new-born morning
A fresh and solemn splendour still is given;
So doth this blessed consciousness, awaking
Breathe each day nearness unto Thee and heav’n!

So shall it be at last in that bright morning,
When the soul waketh and life’s shadows flee;
O in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,
Shall rise the glorious thought - I am with Thee!

Let us just look back and see what she is doing! First of all she is
thirteen years of age. And very bright!

It is a Sunday and, as usual, Harriet is perched on her pew
listening to her father preach. It isn’t one of his usual sermons -
taking a text of Scripture and dealing with doctrine, it was a

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