1 G.o.d of my life, whose gracious power Through varied deaths my soul hath led, Or turned aside the fatal hour, Or lifted up my sinking head!
2 In all my ways Thy hand I own, Thy ruling providence I see: a.s.sist me still my course to run, And still direct my paths to Thee.
3 Whither, oh whither should I fly, But to my loving Father"s breast; Secure within Thine arms to lie, And safe beneath Thy wings to rest!
4 I have no skill the snare to shun, But Thou, O G.o.d, my wisdom art; I ever into ruin run: But Thou art greater than my heart.
5 Foolish, and ignorant, and blind, Lead me a way I have not known; Bring me where I my heaven may find, The heaven of loving Thee alone.
531. C. M. *
The Power of Trust.
1 My G.o.d! in life"s most doubtful hour, In sharpest pains of death, Who waits on Thee hath peace and power; Thou present help of faith!
2 Thy crown of joy upon his head, Thy light upon his face, Through storms and strife Thy Christ could tread, On to the happy place.
3 And though the cross were sharp and high, The lifted Lord could see The souls he loved drawn nearer by His love"s last energy.
4 Help me, O G.o.d! to seek--to win, Through struggles and through prayer, The faith which frees my soul from sin, And brings Thy blessing there.
5 So shall my cross of conquered shame My fainting brothers raise, So Thy triumphant mercy flame Around my path of praise.
6 And earth, with all its pain and toil, By love"s pure presence blest, Shall wear the calm celestial smile Of heaven"s eternal rest.
532. C. M. Anonymous.
Through Cross to Light.
1 Bear on, my soul! the bitter cross Of every trial here Shall lift thee to thy heaven above, But shall not enter there.
2 Bear on, my soul! on G.o.d rely; Deliverance will come; A thousand ways the Father hath To bring His children home.
3 And Thou, my heavenly Friend and Guide, Hast kindly led me on; Taught me to rest my fainting head Upon Thy heart alone.
4 So comforted and so sustained, With dark events I strove, And found, when rightly understood, All, messengers of love.
533. 11 & 10s. M. *
THE MIGHT OF FAITH.
1 We will not weep; for G.o.d is standing by us, And tears will blind us to the blessed sight; We will not doubt,--if darkness still doth try us, Our souls have promise of serenest light.
2 We will not faint,--if heavy burdens bind us, They press no harder than our souls can bear, The th.o.r.n.i.e.s.t way is lying still behind us, We shall be braver for the past despair.
3 O, not in doubt shall be our journey"s ending, Sin with its fears shall leave us at the last, All its best hopes in glad fulfilment blending, Life shall be with us when the Death is past.
4 Help us, oh Father!--when the world is pressing On our frail hearts, that faint without their friend, Help us, oh Father! let Thy constant blessing Strengthen our weakness,--till the joyful end.
534. 8 & 7s. M. Montgomery.
Faith.
1 Call the Lord thy sure salvation, Rest beneath the Almighty"s shade; In His secret habitation Dwell, nor ever be dismayed!
2 There no tumult can alarm thee, Thou shalt dread no hidden snare, Guile nor violence shall harm thee, In eternal safeguard there.
3 There, though winds and waves are swelling, G.o.d, thy hope, shall bear through all; Plague shall not come nigh thy dwelling, Thee no evil shall befall.
4 He shall charge His angel legions Watch and ward o"er thee to keep, Though thou walk through hostile regions, Though in desert wilds thou sleep.
5 Since, with pure and firm affection, Thou on G.o.d hast set thy love, With the wings of His protection He shall shield thee from above.
535. 8 & 7s. M. Moravian.
Bearing the Reproach of Christ.
1 Cross, reproach, and tribulation, Ye to me are welcome guests, When I have this consolation, That my soul in Jesus rests.
2 The reproach of Christ is glorious; Those who here his burden bear In the end shall prove victorious, And eternal gladness share.
3 Bear then the reproach of Jesus, Ye who live a life of faith!
Lift triumphant songs and praises, Even in martyrdom and death.
4 Bonds and stripes, and evil story, Are our honorable crowns; Pain is peace, and shame is glory, Gloomy dungeons are as thrones.