[Illustration: Old Ship Church, (First Parish), Hingham, Mass., built
in 1681, said to be the oldest church in the United States, where
continuous services have been held.]
Be mine thy throb of pulsing heart, Old Ship,
When sermon, song and prayer were wont to hold
And guide the fathers, pioneers of old;
The men who held the truth with steadfast grip—
Thine own appeal to God from heart and lip,
Inspired by earnest men, who ne’er cajoled,
Who sang their hymns within that saintly fold,
With all their worship free from vulgar slip.
Old Ship, the Church, that made the ship of State,
Who trained aright thy maidens and thy lads,
And lived thy simple life, all free from fads,
Thou madest America beloved and great.
Sail on, Old Ship, and sweep the farthest sea,
And save the souls of men eternally.