WHEN darkness long has veil'd my mind, And smiling day once more appears, Then, my Redeemer, then I find
The follies of my doubts and fears.
Straight I upbraid my wand'ring heart;
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,
Or harbour one hard thought of Thee.
Oh let me then, at length, be taught
What I am still so slow to learn-
That God is love, and changes not,
Nor knows the shadow of a turn.
Sweet truth, and easy to repeat!
But, when my faith is sharply tried, I find myself a learner yet,
Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.
But, O my Lord, one look from Thee
Subdues the disobedient will;
Drives doubt and discontent away,
And thy rebellious worm is still.
Thou art more ready to forgive,
Than I am ready to repine:
Thou, therefore, all the praise receive;
Be shame and self-abhorrence mine.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O! Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not,
To rid my soul of one dark blot;
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O! Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
With fears within, and wars without,
O! Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am-poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind;
Yea, all I need in thee to find;
O! Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because thy promise I believe,
O! Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am;-thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O! Lamb of God, I come!
WHEN gath'ring clouds around I view,
And days are dark, and friends are few,
On Him I lean, who, not in vain,
Experienc'd every human pain.
He sees my griefs, allays my fears,
And counts and treasures up my tears.
If aught should tempt my soul to stray
From heavenly wisdom's narrow way,
To fly the good I would pursue,
Or do the thing I would not do,
Still He, who felt temptation's power,
Will guard me in that dangerous hour.
If wounded love my bosom swell,
Despis'd by those I priz'd too well,
He shall his pitying aid bestow,
Who felt on earth severer woe;
At once betray'd, denied, or fled,
By those who shar'd his daily bread.
When vexing thoughts within me rise
And, sore dismay'd, my spirit dies,
Yet He, who once vouchsaf'd to bear
The anguish bord'ring on despair,
Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry,
The throbbing heart, the streaming eye.
When mourning o'er some stone I bend,
Which covers all that was a friend,
And from his voice, his hand, his smile,
Divides me for a little while;
Thou, Saviour, mark'st the tears I shed,
For thou did'st weep o'er Lazarus dead.
And, Oh! when I have safely past
Through every conflict but the last,
Still, still unchanging, watch beside
My dying bed-for Thou hast died!
Then point to realms of cloudless day,
And wipe the latest tear away.
THAT man no guard or weapon needs,
Whose heart the grace of Jesus knows;
But safe may pass, if duty leads,
Through burning sands or mountain snows.
Releas'd from guilt, he feels no fear-
Redemption is his shield and tower:
He sees his Saviour always near,
To help in every trying hour.
Though I am weak, and Satan strong,
And often to assault me tries;
When Jesus is my shield and song,
Abash'd the wolf before me flies.
His love possessing, I am blest;
Secure, whatever change may come :
Whether I go to East or West,
With Him I still shall be at home.
If placed beneath the northern pole, Though winter reigns with rigour there, His gracious beams would cheer my soul, And make a spring throughout the year:
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