# Lauds—Thursday explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The chapter presents a hymn for Thursday Lauds, celebrating the arrival of dawn as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and renewal. It calls for purity in speech, thought, and action, and acknowledges divine oversight throughout the day's service, ending with a doxology to the Trinity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transience and Eternity

The passing of night and the coming of dawn symbolize the transient nature of earthly time, while the doxology points to eternal glory.

### Sin and Redemption

The hymn prays for cleansing from the 'labyrinth of wrong' and for purity, reflecting a desire for redemption and moral renewal.

## Character check-ins

### Father, Son, and Paraclete

Addressed in the closing doxology as the recipient of glory.

### Unknown

The speaker of the hymn, reflecting on the dawn and the day's service.

## Key lines

> See, the golden dawn is glowing, While the paly shades are going, Which have led us far and long, In a labyrinth of wrong.

The bright sunrise appears as the pale shadows of night depart, shadows that have guided us through a long and confusing path of sin.

_The dawn symbolizes spiritual illumination after a period of moral confusion._

> May it bring us peace serene; May it cleanse, as it is clean; Plain and clear our words be spoke, And our thoughts without a cloak;

May this new day bring us calm peace and purify us just as the light is pure; may our speech be honest and our thoughts transparent.

_A prayer for inner and outer purity, aligning with the theme of redemption._

> There is One who from above Watches how the still hours move Of our day of service done, From the dawn to setting sun.

God observes from heaven the quiet progression of our day of devotion, from morning until evening.

_Emphasizes divine vigilance over human actions throughout the day._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxxvi-lauds-thursday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters