And here and there, on trees by lightning scath'd, The world, returning hither their sad spirits howl'd. Meantime a moving scene was open laid, That lazar-house, I whilom in my lay Depainted have, its horrors deep-display'd, And gave unnumber'd wretches to the day, Who tossing there in squalid misery lay. Soon as of sacred light th' unwonted smile Pour'd on these living catacombs its ray, Through the drear caverns stretching many a mile, The sick up-rais'd their heads, and dropp'd their woes awhile. Other refuge have I none Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! leave me not alone Still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring: Cover my defenceless head With the shadow of Thy wing. Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not regard my prayer? Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall Lo! on Thee I cast my care; Reach me out Thy gracious hand, While I of Thy strength receive! Hoping against hope I stand Dying, and behold I live. Thou, O Christ, art all I want- Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Thou art full of truth and grace. Plenteous grace with Thee is found- Freely let me take of Thee; DEATH. AH, lovely appearance of death! What sight upon earth is so fair? Not all the gay pageants that breathe And longing to lie in its stead. How blest is our brother, bereft Of all that could burden his mind! How easy the soul that has left This wearisome body behind! Of evil incapable, thou, Whose relics with envy I seeNo longer in misery now, No longer a sinner like me. This earth is affected no more With sickness, or shaken with pain; The war in the members is o'er, And never shall vex him again; No anger henceforward, or shame, Shall redden this innocent clay; Extinct is the animal flame, And passion is vanished away. This languishing head is at rest— Its thinking and aching are o'er ; This quiet, immovable breast Is heaved by affliction no more; This heart is no longer the seat Of trouble and torturing pain; It ceases to flutter and beat It never shall flutter again. The lids he so seldom could close, Have strangely forgotten to weep, The fountains can yield no supplies These hollows from water are free; The tears are all wiped from these eyes, And evil they never shall see. To mourn and to suffer is mine, While bound in a prison I breathe, And still for deliverance pine, And press to the issues of death; What now with my tears I bedew Oh might I this moment become! My spirit created anew, My flesh be consigned to the tomb! "JESUS, MY STRENGTH, MY HOPE." JESUS, my strength, my hope, On Thee I cast my care- And know thou bear'st my prayer. Give me on Thee to wait Till I can all things do— On Thee, almighty to create, I want a sober mind, A self-renouncing will, That tramples down, and casts behind, The baits of pleasing ill; A soul inured to pain, To hardship, grief, and loss Bold to take up, firm to sustain, I want a godly fear, A quick discerning eye, That looks to Thee when sin is near, A spirit still prepared, And armed with jealous care, Forever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer. I want a heart to pray, To pray, and never cease; Always to pray, I want- I want a true regard- Unmoved by threatening or reward, A jealous, just concern For Thine immortal praise A pure desire that all may learn I rest upon Thy word, Thy promise is for me: Nor from my hope remove, WRESTLING JACOB. FIRST PART. COME, O Thou traveller unknown, And I am left alone with Thee; My sin and misery declare; In vain Thou strugglest to get free; When I am weak, then am I strong! SECOND PART. YIELD to me now, for I am weak, Be conquered by my instant prayer: 'Tis love! 'tis love! Thou diedst for me; To me, to all, Thy bowels move, My prayer hath power with God; the grace I see Thee face to face and live! I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art, The sun of righteousness on me Hath rose, with healing in his wings; Withered my nature's strength; from Thee My soul its life and succor brings; My help is all laid up above; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. Contented now upon my thigh I halt, till life's short journey end; All helplessness, all weakness, I On Thee alone for strength depend; Nor have I power from Thee to move; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. Lame as I am, I take the prey; Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o'ercome; I leap for joy, pursue my way, And, as a bounding hart, fly home; Through all eternity to prove Thy nature and Thy name is Love. |