My Father's Voice in Prayer

My Father's Voice in Prayer 

by May Hastings Nottage

In the silence that falls on my spirit

When the clamor of life loudest seems,

Comes a voice that floats in tremulous notes

Far over my sea of dreams.

I remember the dim old vestry

And my father kneeling there;

And the old hymns thrill with the memory still

Of my father's voice in prayer.

I can see his glance of approval

As my part in the hymn I took;

I remember the grace of my mother's face,

And the tenderness of her look;

And I knew that a gracious memory

Cast its light on that face so fair

As her cheek flushed faint--O mother, my saint!--

At my father's voice in prayer.

"Neath the stress of that marvelous pleading

All childish dissensions died:

Each rebellious will sank conquered and still

In a passion of love and pride.

Ah, the years have held exquisite voices,

And melodies tender and rare;

But tenderest seems the voice of my dreams--

My father's voice in prayer.