The Pillars of the Choir: St Philip

Hast Thou so long been with us, gracious Lord,
And yet have we not known Thee ? while Thy word
Within us and about us wraps around,
Impalpable as th' air? Thine eye is found
In th' heart of hearts, and Thy sustaining hand ;
And all events, arrang'd at Thy command,
Are but th' unfoldings of a Father's care,
Unsought for, and responsive to our prayer, —
And yet have we not known Thee ? have we brought
Others to Thee, and Thy true wisdom taught, —
And yet not known thee ? By our home retreat,
Our own Bethsaida, " Have ye here no meat ? "
Thou seem'st to say, that so Thou mightest lead
To feel our own deep want, in that our need,
Of all true bread that satisfies, that we
Might turn, and hang our famish'd souls on Thee ;
Thousands at Thy good word with food abound,
And shew that Thy live presence dwells around,—
And yet have we not known Thee ? have not known
The all-transcending circle and the crown
Of Thy deep Love ? — still know Thee not, nor find
The Father's image within Thee enshrin'd?