FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY I ^ jfrrOFP I Hifi; ROCK OF FEB "7 1933 ES; ^ <£• ORIGINAL AND SELECTED POEMS •1/ •Rv R^v. S. F. Smith, D. P., Author of the Hymn " America," etc. BOSTON: D. LOTHROP & CO., 38 AND 40 CORNHILL. DOVER, N. H., G. T. DAY & CO. ■* Eniorcd according to Act of CongreM, in the >ear 1870, Br D. Lothrop & Co., In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. h * It has been the design of the Editor to confine the selections in this little work to the two ideas, God a Refuge, and the soul, in its dependency, finding support in Him. May the volume be a comfort to the people of God, and lead the weary and heavy- laden to the All-sufficient Refuge. 4 * The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.' Dklt. xxx'ui. ^ ROOK OF AGES Rock of Ages. ROCK of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee ; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure ; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. Not the labor of my hands Can fulfil Thy law's demands ; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears for ever flow. All for sin could not atone ; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to Thy Cross I cling ; ROCK OF AGES. Naked, come to Thee for dress ; Helpless, look to Thee for grace ; Foul, I to Thy fountain fly; Wash me, Saviour, or I die ! While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyelids close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne : — Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. A. M. TorLAPT. "Rock of Ages." — In Latin. TESTIS pro me. perforates, *J Condar Intra tuum latus; Tu per lymph am profluentem, Tu per sanguinem tepentem, In peccata mi rcdunda, Tolle culpam, sordes munda. Coram te nee Justus forem, Quamvis tota vi laborem, *- -► THE ALL-SUFFICIENT REFUOE. Nee si flde nunquam cesso, Fletu stillans inclefesso ; Tibi soli tan turn munus, Salva me, Salvator unus, in. Nil in manu mecum fero, Sed me versus crucem gero, Vestiraenta, nudus, oro, Opem, debilis, imploro; Fontem Christi quaer' immundus, Nisi laves, moribundus. Dum hos artus vita regit, Quando nox sepulchro tegit, Mortuos cum stare jubes, Sedens, Judex, inter nubes, Jesus pro me perforatus, Condar intra tuum latus. Translated by the Hon. "W. E. Gladstone, Chancel- lor of the British Exchequer. The All-Sufficient Refuge. OROCK OF AGES, when the storm Of trial drives across my path, And vainly struggles human power To stand against its sweeping wrath, — b >:<■ HOCK OF AGES. Then shield me by Thy towering head, Then in Thy clefts, let me hide; No ill can reach the soul that leans, Trusting, on Christ the Crucified. O Rock of ages, when my tears In streams of contrite anguish flow, And, penitent, my lips confess How just the hand that strikes the blow, Then to Thy massive, shelving cliffs, Then to Thy shadow let me flee ; The dying Christ sustained the shock, And, Lord, the soul is safe in Thee. O Rock of ages, when my heart, Struck by some sore bereavement, bleeds, And earthly props and comforters Have proved themselves but broken reeds, Then to Thy shelter let me press, Which stands from age to age the same; Christ changes not, — the stricken soul Finds comfort in His healing Name. O Rock of ages, if the cross Of shame for Christ's dear name I bear, Or suffer loss because I choose His seal upon my brow to wear, *$ GOD THE REFUGE OF BIS PEOPLE. Then calm and fearless let my soul Safe in Thy great protection rest ; Christ is a refuge, — troubled hearts Find shelter in the Saviour's breast. Rock of ages, when in death My strength grows weak, my spirits fail, And earthly helpers leave my feet To tread alone the solemn vale, Then from each cliff, and slope, and crag, Let light, from heaven reflected, shine ; Christ is earth's sun, and Christ alone Can gild the tomb with rays divine. How clings the seaman, when his barque Is shattered by the raging wave, To fragments of the broken wreck, And vainly hopes his life to save ; But in all times of risk or need My spirit to Thy shade shall flee, Secure, in life or death, to find, O Rock of ages, all in Thee. Rev. S. F. Smith. God the Refuge of His People. CI OD is the refuge of his saints, J When storms of sharp distress invade ; Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold Him present with His aid. 10 nOCK OF AGES. Loud may the troubled ocean roar, In sacred peace our souls abide ; While every nation, every shore, Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide. There is a stream whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our God ; Life, love, and joy, still gliding through, And watering our divine abode. That sacred stream, Thine holy word, Supports our faith, our fear controls; Sweet peace Thy promise* afford, And give new strength to fainting souls. Zion enjoys her Monarch's love, Secure against a threatening hour; Nor can her firm foundation move, Built on His truth, and armed with power. I. Watts. The Shadow of the Rock. THE Shadow of the Rock ! Stay, pilgrim, stay ! Night treads upon the heels of day ; There is no other resting-place this way. The Rock is near, The well is clear — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! -*£* THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK. 1 1 The Shadow of the Rock ! The desert wide Lies round thee like a trackless tide, In waves of sand forlornly multiplied* The sun is gone, Thou art alone — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock f The Shadow of the Rock ! All come alone ; All, ever since the sun hath shone, Who traveled by this road have come alone. Be of good cheer — A home is here — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! The Shadow of the Rock ! Night veils the land ; How the palms whisper as they stand! How the well tinkles faintly through the sand ! Cool water take Thy thirst to slake — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock J The Shadow of the Rock ! Abide! abide! This Rock moves ever at thy side, Pausing to welcome thee at eventide. Ages are laid Beneath its shade — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! * 12 HOCK OF AGES. The Shadow of the Rock ! Always at hand, Unseen it cools the noon-tide land, And quells the lire that flickers in the sand. It comes in sight Only at Bight — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! The Shadow of the Rock ! 'Mid skies storm-riven It gathers shadows out of heaven, And holds them o'er us all night cool and even. Through the charmed air Dew falls not there — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock ! To angels' eyes This Rock its shadow multiplies, And at this hour in countless places lies. Oue Rock, one shade, O'er thousands laid — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock ! To weary feet, That have been diligent and fleet, The sleep is deeper and the shade more sweet. O weary, rest ! Thou art sore pressed — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock 1 THE SHADOW OF A QBEAT ROCK. 13 The Shadow of the Rock ! Thy bed is made ; Crowds of tired souls like thine are laid This night beneath the self-same placid shade. They who rest here Wake with Heaven near — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! The Shadow of the Rock ! Pilgrim ! sleep sound. In night's swift hours with silent bound, The Rock will put thee over leagues of ground, Gaining more way By night than day — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! The Shadow of the Rock ! One day of pain, Thou scarce wilt hope the Rock to gain, Yet there wilt sleep thy last sleep od the plain ; And only wake In Heaven's daybreak — Rest in the Shadow of the Rock ! Faber. The Shadow of a Great Rock in a'Weaky Laxj> THE pathways of Thy land are little changed Since Thou wast there ; The busy world through other ways hath ranged, And left these bare. ■* * 1 4 ROCK OF AGES. The rocky path still climbs the glowing steep Of Olivet; Though rains of two millenniums wear it deep, Men tread it yet. Still to the gardens o'er the brook it leads, Quiet and low; Before his sheep the shepherd on it treads, His voice they know. The wild fig throws broad shadows o'er it still, As once o'er Thee ; Peasants go home at evening up that hill To Bethany. And as when gazing Thou didst weep o'er thera, From height to height, The white roofs of discrowned Jerusalem Burst on our sight. These ways were strewed with garments once, and palm, Which we tread thus ; Here through Thy triumph on Thou passedst calm, On to Thy cross. The waves have washed fresh sand upon the shore Of Galilee; But. chiselled on the hillsides evermore, Thy path- we Bee. ** -* FLEEING FOR REFUGE TO CHRIST. 15 Man has not changed them in that slumbering land, Nor time effaced ; Where Thy feet trod to bless me, still we stand ; All can be traced. Yet we have traces of Thy footsteps far Truer than these ; Where'er the poor and tried and suffering are, Thy steps faith sees. Nor with fond, sad regrets Thy steps we trace ; Thou art not dead ! Our faith is onward, till we see Thy face And hear Thy tread. And now wherever meets Thy lowliest band In praise and prayer, There is Thy presence, there Thy Holy Land — Thou, Thou art there I Anon. Fleeing for Refuge to Christ. WOULD my soul could fly for refuge. As the dove flies to her nest, To the cross where Jesus dying Spreads for me His arms of rest ; * 16 t;OCK OF AGES. Where the great Desire of nations Hangs in slow-consuming pain, All the shame of sin upon Him Whom the worlds cannot contain. Seek, my soul, His sweet compassion; Seek it in His riven side; In Thy sacred wounds, O Jesus, May Thy servant safely hide : Let me rest within the rampart That doth Thy Beloved enclose ; Here to dwell in peace unceasing Be the ending of my woes. my God, my best and dearest, Art Thou suffering for me? Saviour of the all-unworthy, Art thou nailed upon the tree? For the robber, gracious Jesus, Thou in shame art raised on high; Freely for my vile transgressions Thou, my very life, dost die. Jesus, far beyond my merits Is the love Thou hast for me : Why am I amongst the living If, so loved, I love not Thee? Blessed in its mighty power Be the love that conquers all, Love in which, like fleeting visions. Death's fell arrows vainly fall. T" * NEARER TO THE ROCK. 17 Me Thy love at first created, Me, when lost, Thy love redeems : Shed Thou on my dull, cold spirit That bright love's enkindling beams : Draw to Thee my heart's affection, Make me glow with perfect love, Keep me Thine in closest union Never from Thy side to rove. V. 8. S. C. Nearer to the Eock. FLEEING, O Rock of ages, Fleeing to thee, Calmly I meet the tempests Of life's rough sea ; No billows of temptation Can me o'erwhelm, — Christ, the immortal pilot, Controls the helm. Fiercely the roaring billows My barque may toss, And sunken reefs may threaten Danger and loss ; The light-house on the headland Gleams o'er the sea, And wind and wave but drive me Nearer to thee. 2 18 ROCK OF AGES. Shortly the day of peril And gloomy night Will pass, — and heaven shall redden With morning light; And, safe, the storm-tost wanderer O'er shoal and sea Shall find his footsteps planted, O Rock, on thee. 8. F. Smith. Clinging to tiie Promises. MY prayer to the promise shall cling — I will not give heed to a doubt ; For I ask for the one needful thing, Which I cannot be happy without. A spirit of lowly repose In the love of the Lamb that was slain, A heart to be touch'd with His woes, And a care not to grieve Him again. The peace that my Saviour has bought, The cheerfulness nothing can dim; The love that can bring every thought Into perfect obedience to Him. The wisdom His mercy to own In the way He directs me to take, — To glory in Jesus alone, And to love, and do good for His sake. * RESTING IN GOD. 19 All this Thou hast offered to me In the promise whereon I will rest ; For faith, O my Saviour, in Thee, Is the substance of all my request. Thy word has commanded my prayer, Thy Spirit has taught me to pray, And all my unholy despair Is ready to vanish away. Thou wilt not be weary of me, Thy promise my faith will sustain, And soon, very soon I shall see That I have not been asking in vain. A. L. W. Resting in God. MY God protects, my fears begone, What can the Rock of Ages move ? Safe in thine arms I lay me down, Thine everlasting arms of love. While Thou art intimately nigh, Who, who shall violate my rest ? All powers of evil I defy, I lean upon my Father's breast. 20 ROCK OF AGES. I rest beneath the Almighty's shade, My grief's expire, mv troubles cease, Thou, Lord, ou whom my soul is stayed, Wilt keep me still iu perfect peace. C. Wesley. God a Rock. TT^HEN thickly beat the storms of life, 1 f And heavy is the chastening rod, The soul, beyond the waves of strife, Views the eternal Rock — her God. What hope dispels the spirit's gloom, When sinking 'neath affliction's shock? Faith, through the vista of the tomb, Points to the everlasting Rock. Is there a man who cannot see That joy and grief are from above? 0, let him humbly bend the knee, And own his Father's chastening love. Hope, Grace, and Truth, with gentle hand, Shall lead a bleeding Saviour's flock, And show them, in the promised laud, The shelter of th' eternal Rock. Avon WRESTLING JACOB. 21 Wrestling Jacob. COME, O Thou traveller unknown, Whom still I hold, but cannot see ; My company before is gone, And I am left alone with Thee ; With Thee all night I mean to stay, And wrestle till the break of day. I need not tell Thee who I am, My misery and sin declare ; Thyself hast call'd me by my name ; Look on Thy hands and read it there. But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou ? Tell me Thy name, and tell me now. In vain Thou strugglest to get free ; I never will unloose my hold ; Art Thou the Man that died for me ? The secret of Thy love unfold ; Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, Till I Thy name, Thy nature know. Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal Thy new, unutterable name ? Tell me, I still beseech Thee, tell, To know it now resolved I am. Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, Till I Thy name, Thy nature know. ROCK OP AGES. What though ray shrinking flesh complain, And murmur to contend so long? I rise superior to my pain, When I am weak, then I am strong ! And when my all of strength shall fail, I shall with the God-Man prevail ! Yield to me now, for I am weak, But confident in self-despair; Speak to my heart, in blessings speak; Be conquered by ray instant prayer. Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move, And tell me if Thy name is Love. *Tis Love ! ' tis Love ! Thou diedst for me ; I hear Thy whisper in my heart ! The morning breaks, the shadows flee, Pure, universal love Thou art. To me, to all, Thy bowels move : Thy nature and Thy name is Love. My prayer hath power with God ; the grace Unspeakable I now receive ; Through faith I see Thee face to face ; I see Thee face to face, and live ! In vain I have not wept and strove : Thy nature and Thy name is Love. *- WRESTLING JACOB. 23 I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art ; Jesus, the feeble sinner's friend ; Nor wilt Thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end. Thy mercies never shall remove : Thy nature and Thy name is Love. The Sun of Righteousness on me Hath risen with healing on 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. Anon. 24 ROCK OF AGES. Perfect through Suffering. UNDER the shadow of Thy wing abiding, Close to a sympathizing Saviour's side, In the sure promise of His love confiding, Why should I shrink, though earthly ills betide ? O, if the soul grow strong through suffering only, If but through trial it may reach the goal, I will rejoice, although my way be lonely, And all Thy waves and billows o'er me roll. Yes, I will praise Thee, though my tears are falling Upon the trembling harp-strinys as I sing, Am I not safe, though grief my soul is thralling, Under the shadow of my Father'* wing? ANOlf. The Secret. Thou ahalt keep them in the secret of thj pre«*»*ce from the strife of tongues." WHEN winds are raging o'er U\e uppe* ocean, And billows wild couteud with augrj roar, 'Tis said, far down beneath the wild commotioiu That peaceful stillness reigneth evermore. LEANING ON JESUS. 25 Far. far beneath, the noise of tempest dieth, And silver waves chime ever peacefully ; And no rude storm, how fierce soe'er it flieth, Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea. So to the soul that knows Thy love, Purest, There is a temple peaceful evermore ; And all the babble of life's angry voices Dies in hushed stillness at its sacred door. Far, far away the noise of passion dieth, And loving thoughts rise ever peacefully, And no rude storm, how fierce soe'er it flieth, Disturbs that deeper rest, O Lord, in Thee. O Rest of rests, O Peace, serene, eternal, Thou ever livest, and Thou changest never ; And in the secret of Thy presence dwelleth Fulness of joy, forever and forever. H. B. Stowe. Leaning on Jesus. WHEN gathering clouds around I view, And days are dark and friends are few, On Him I lean, who not in vain Experienced every human pain ; He sees my wants, allays my fears, And counts and treasures up my tears. * 26 ROCK OF AGES. If aught should tempt my soul to stray From heavenly wisdom's narrow way, To fly the good I would pursue, Or do the siu I would not do, Still He, who felt temptation's power, Shall guard me iu that dangerous hour. If wounded love my bosom swell, Deceived by those I prized too well, He shall His pitying aid bestow, Who felt on earth severer woe ; At once betrayed, denied, or fled, By those who shared His daily bread. If vexing thoughts within me rise, And, sore dismayed, my spirit dies, Still He, who once vouchsafed to bear The sickening anguish of despair > Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry, The throbbing heart, the streaming eye. When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend, Which covers what was once 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 didst weep o'er Lazarus dead ! And O, when I have safely passed Through every conflict but the last, *■ * » TIS I, BE NOT AFRAID. 27 Still, still unchanging, watch beside My painful bed, for Thou hast died ; Then point to realms of cloudless day, And wipe the latest tear away. Sir Robert Grant. "'Tis I, Be Not Afraid. WHEN waves of sorrow round me swell, My soul is not dismayed ; I hear a voice I know full well, '"Tis I, be not afraid." "When black the threatening clouds appear, And storms my path invade, That voice shall tranquillize each fear, '"Tis I, be not afraid." There is a gulf that must be crossed, Saviour, be near to aid ; Whisper, when my frail bark is tossed, '"Tis I, be not afraid." There is a dark and fearful vale Death hides within its shade ; O say, when flesh and heart shall fail, " 'T is I, be not afraid." Matthew xiv., 27. *.: 28 BOCK OF AGES. Jesus, We Will Look to Tiir.i:. WHEN along life's thorny road Faints the soul beneath the load, By its cares and sins opprest, Finds on earth no peace or rest, When the wily tempter's near, Filling us with doubts and fear, Jesus, to Thy feet we flee, Jesus, we will look to Thee. Thou, our Saviour, from the throne, Listenest to Thy people's moan; Thou, the living Head, dost share Every pang Thy members bear. Full of tenderness Thou art, Thou wilt heal the broken heart ; Full of power, Thine arm shall quell By Thy tears o'er Lazarus shed, By Thy power to raise the dead, By Thy meekness under scorn, By Thy stripes and crown of thorn, By that rich and precious blood That hath made our peace with God. Jesus, to Thy feet we flee, Jesus, we will cling to Thee. HE GIVETH SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 29 Mighty to redeem and save, Thou hast overcome the grave ; Thou the bars of death hast riven, Opened wide the gates of heaven ; Soon in glory Thou shalt come Taking Thy poor pilgrims home ; Then our ransomed souls shall be Ever, ever, Lord, with Thee. Hebrews xii., 2. u He Giveth Songs in the Night. WE praise Thee oft for hours of bliss, For days of quiet rest ; But, O, how seldom do we feel That pain and tears are best. We praise Thee for the shining sun, For kind and gladsome ways ; When shall we learn, O Lord, to sing Through weary nights and days. We praise Thee when our path is plain And smooth beneath our feet; But fain would learn to welcome pain, And call the bitter sweet. *■ 30 ROCK OF AGES. When rises first the blush of hope. Our hearts begin to sing; But surely not for this alone Should we our gladness bring. Are there no hours of conflict fierce, No wear}' toils aud pains, No watchings, and no bitterness, That bring their blessed gains — That bring their blessed gains full well. In truer faith aud love, And patience sweet, aud gentleness, From our dear home above ? Teach Thou our weak and wandering hearts Aright to read Thy way, That Thou with loving hand dost trace Our history every day. Then every thorny crown of care, Worn well in patience now, Shall grow a glorious diadem Upon the faithful brow. And every word of grief shall change Aud wave a blessed flower, And lift its face beneath our feet To bless us every hour. ** THY WILL BE DONE. 31 And Sorrow's face shall be unveiled, And we at last shall see Her eyes are eyes of tenderness, Her speech but echoes Thee ! John Page Hopps. "Thy Will Be Done." MY God, my Father, while I stray Far from my home on life's rough way, O, teach me from my heart to say, — " Thy will be done ! " Though dark my path, and sad my lot, Let me be still, and murmur not ; And breathe the prayer divinely taught, — "Thy will be done!" What though in lonely grief I sigh For friends beloved, no longer nigh, Submissive still would I reply, — "Thy will be done!" If Thou shouldst call me to resign What most I prize, it ne'er was mine ; I have but yielded what was Thine, — " Thy will be done ! " * * 32 ROCK OF AGES. Should grief or sickness waste away My life in premature decay, My Father, still I '11 strive to say, — "Thy will be done! ■ Let but ray fainting heart be blest With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest, My God, to Thee I leave the rest, — "Thy will be done!" Renew my will from day to day, Blend it with Thine, and take away All that now makes it hard to say, — "Thy will be done!" Then, when on earth I breathe no more The prayer, oft mixed with tears before, I '11 sing upon a happier shore, — "Thy will be done!" Charlotte Elliott. The Mariner's Evening Hymn. RULER of the storm, whose might Can still theaog"? wave, Thy mercy, through the coming night, We, trembling sinners, crave I ► ▼^ w I AM CHRIST'S. AND CHRIST IS MINE. 33 This trackless waste, at such an hour, Which Thou alone canst span, Tells us how infinite Thy power, How mean a thing is man ! O Father of the deep, our path Lies o'er the midnight sea, Let not the waves arise in wrath ; Hushed be they still by Thee ; And as with contrite hearts we bend, And bow before Thy form, Let not our prayers in vain ascend, Dread Ruler of the storm ! J. E. Carpenter I Am Christ's, and Christ is Mine. LONG did I toil, and knew no earthly rest; Far did I rove, and found no certain home ; At last I sought them in His sheltering breast Who opes His arms, and bids the weary come. With Him I found a home, a rest divine ; And I since then am His, and He is mine. Yes, He is mine ! and nought of earthly things, Not all the charms of pleasure, wealth or power, The fame of heroes, or the pomp of kings, Could tempt me to forego His love an hour : 3 ■i* 34 ROCK OF AGES. Go, worthless world, I cry, with all that's thine . Go! I ray Saviour's am, and He is mine. The good I have is from His stores supplied; The ill is only what He deems the best ; He for my friend, I'm rich with nought beside, And poor without Him, though of all possessed. Changes may come ; I take, or I resign ; Content while I am His, while lie is mine. Whate'er may change, in Him no change is seen ; A glorious suu, that wanes not nor declines ; Above the clouds and storms He walks serene. And sweetly on His people's darkness shines ; All may depart ; I fret not, nor repine, While I my Saviour's am, while He is mine. He stays me falling, lifts me up when down, Reclaims me wandering, guards from every foe. Plants on my worthless brow the victor's crown. Which, in return, before His feet I throw; Grieved that I cannot better grace His shrine Who deigns to own me His, as He is mine. While here, alas ! I know but half His love. But half discern Him, ami bat half adore ; But when I meet Him in the realms above I hope to love Him better, praise Him more; *• * THE P WER OF PR A TER. 3 5 And feel, and tell, amid the choir divine, How fully I am His, and He is mine. Henry Francis Lyte. The Power op Prayer. THERE is an eye that never sleeps Beneath the wing of night; There is an ear that never shuts, When sink the beams of light. There is an arm that never tires, When human strength gives way ; There is a love that never fails, When earthly loves decay. That eye is fixed on seraph throngs That arm upholds the sky; That ear is filled with angel songs ; That love is throned on high. But there's a power which man can wield When mortal aid is vain, That eye, that arm, that love to reach, That listening ear to gain. *- 36 ROCK OF AGES. That power is prayer, which soars on high, Through Jesus, to the throne ; Aud moves the hand which moves the world, To bring salvation down ! Anon. God Seen in His Works. 4 THERE is a book, who runs may read, Which heavenly troth Imparts; And all the lore its scholars need, Pure eyes and Christian hearts. The works of God, above, below, Within us and around, Are pages in that book, to show How God Himself is found. The glorious sky, embracing all, Is like the Maker's love, Wherewith encompassed, great and small In peace and order move. The moon above, the church below, A wondrous race they run; But all their radiance, all their glow, Each borrows of its Sun. *- * GOD SEEN IN HIS WORKS. 37 The Saviour lends the light and heat That crowns His holy will ; The saints, like stars around His seat Perform their courses still. The saints above are stars in heaven ; What are the saints on earth ? Like trees they stand, whom God has given, Our Eden's happy birth. Faith is their fixed, unswerving root, Hope their unfading flower ; Fair deeds of charity their fruit, The glory of their bower. The dew of Heaven is like Thy grace ; It steals in silence down ; But where it lights, the favored place By richest fruits is known. One name, above all glorious names, With its ten thousand tongues The everlasting sea proclaims, Echoing angelic songs. The raging fire, the roaring wind, Thy boundless power display, But in the gentler breeze we find Thy Spirit's viewless way. *- 38 ROCK OF AGES. Two worlds are ours ; 't is only sin Forbids us to descry, The mystic Leaven and earth within, Plain as the sea and sky. Thou who hast given us eyes to see And love this sight so fair, Give us a heart to find out Thee, And read Thee everywhere. Keblx. The Word of God. LAMP of our feet, whereby we trace Our path, as here we stray : Stream from the fount of heav'nly grace — Brook by the traveller's way. Bread of our souls ! whereon we feed, Our manna from on high ; Our guide, our chart, wherein we read Of realms beyond the sky. Pillar of fire ! through watches dark, Or radiant cloud by day ; WheD waves would whelm our tossing bark, Our anchor and our stay. ** AS THY DAY, SO SHALL THY STRENGTH BE. 39 Pole star on life's tempestuous deep, Beacon when doubts surround ; Compass, by which our course we keep, Our plummet-line to sound. Our shield and buckler in the fight ; In victory's hour the palm ; Comfort in grief ; in weakness, might; In sickness, Gilead's balm. Childhood's instructor, manhood's trust, Old age's firm ally ; Our hope, when we go down to dust, Of immortality. Word of the ever-living God ! Will of His glorious Son ! Without Thee, how could earth be trod, Or heaven itself be won ? Anon. As Thy Day, So Shall Thy Strength Be. WHEN adverse winds and waves arise And in my heart despondence sighs, When life her throng of cares reveals, And weakness o'er my spirit steals, Grateful I hear the kind decree That "As my day, my strength shall be." •* *- 40 ROCK OF AGES. When with sad footsteps memory roves O'er smitten joys and buried loves, When like a mourner low I bend, Without a comforter or friend. Then to Thy promise, Lord, I flee, Still "As Thy day, Thy .strength shall be." One trial more must yet be past, One pang, the keenest and the last ; And when, convulsed with mortal pain, Struggling I seek for ease in vain, Then wilt Thou give my soul to see That " As her day, her strength shall be." Hear My Cry! STRONG to save and bless, My rock and righteousness, Draw near to me ! Blessing, and joy, and might, Wisdom, and love, and light, Are all with Thee ! My refuge and my rest, As child on mother's breast, I lean on Thee ! From faintness and from fear, When foes and ill are near, Deliver me ! HEAR MY CRT! 41 Turn not away Thy face, Withhold not needed grace, My fortress be ! Perils are round and round, Iniquities abound, See, Saviour, see ! Come, God and Saviour, come ! I can no more be dumb ; Appeal I must To Thee, the Gracious One, Else is my hope all gone, I sink in dust! O answer me, my God, Thy love is deep and broad, Thy grace is true ! Thousands this grace have shared, O let me now be heard, love me too ! Descend, Thou mighty love, Descend from heaven above, Fill Thou this soul ! Heal every bruised part, Bind up this broken heart, And make me whole. * 42 ROCK OF AGES. * Tis knowing Thee that heals ; ' Tis seeing Thee that seals Comfort and peace ! Show me Thy cross and blood, My Saviour and ray God, Then troubles cease. Bonah. Abounding in Hope. HOPE, Christian soul! in every stage Of this, thine earthly pilgrimage, Let heavenly joy thy thoughts engage — Abound in hope. Hope ! though thy lot be want and woe, Though hate's rude storms against thee blow, Thy Saviour's lot was such below — Abound in hope. Hope ! for to all who meekly bear His cross, He gives His crown to wear; Abasement here is glory there — Abound in hope. Hope ! though thy dear ones round thee die, Beheld with Faith's illumined eye Their deathless home beyond the sky — Abound in hope. SA 7ING HELP. 43 Hope ! for upon that happy shore Sorrow and sighing will be o'er, And friends shall meet to part no more — Abound in hope. Hope through the watches of the night, Hope till the morrow bring the light, Hope till thy faith be lost in sight — Abound in hope. Anon. Saving Help. WHEN wounded sore the stricken soul Lies bleeding and unbound, One only hand, a pierced hand, Can heal the sinner's wound. When sorrow swells the laden breast, And tears of anguish flow, One only heart, a broken heart, Can feel the sinner's woe. "When penitence has wept in vain Over some foul, dark spot, One only stream, a stream of blood, Can wash away the blot. 44 ROCK OF AGES. Tis Jesus' blood that washes white, His hand that brings relief, His heart that's touched with all our joys, Aud feels for all our grief. Lift up thy bleeding hand, O Lord; Unseal that cleansing tide ; We have no shelter from our sin, But in Thy wounded side. Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander. Deligiit in God Only. I LOVE (and have some cause to love) the earth ; She is my Maker's creature, therefore good; She is my mother, for she gave me birth ; She is my tender nurse, she gives me food ; But what 's a creature, Lord, compared with Thee ? Or what 's my mother, or my nurse to me? I love the air; her dainty sweets refresh My drooping soul, and to new sweets invite me ; Her shrill-mouthed choir sustain me with their tlesh, And with their polyphonian notes delight me; But what 's the air or all the sweets that she Can bless my soul withal, compared to Thee? *■ ♦< DELIGHT IN GOD ONLY. 45 I love the sea, she is my fellow-creature, My careful purveyor; she provides me store ; She walls me round ; she makes my diet greater ; She wafts my treasure from a foreign shore ; But Lord of oceans, when compared with Thee, What is the ocean, or her wealth to me? To heaven's high city I direct my journey, Whose spangled suburbs entertain mine eye ; Mine eye, by contemplation's great attorney, Transcends the crystal pavement of the sky; But what is heaven, great God, compared with Thee ? Without Thy presence, heaven 's no heaven to me. Without Thy presence earth gives no reflection ; Without Thy presence sea affords no treasure ; Without Thy presence air 's a rank infection ; Without Thy presence heaven itself no pleasure ; If not possessed, if not enjoyed in Thee, What 's earth, or sea, or air, or heaven, to me ? The highest honors that the world can boast Are subjects far too low for my desires ; The brightest beams of glory are (at most) But dying sparkles of Thy living fire. The loudest flames that earth can kindle be But nightly glow- worms, if compared to Thee. +% 46 ROCK OF AGES. Without Thy presence wealth is bags of cares; Wisdom but folly; joy, disquiet, sadness; Friendship is treason, and delights are snares, Pleasures but pain, and mirth but pleasing madness. Without Thee, Lord, things be not what they be, Nor have they being when compared with Thee. In having all things, and not Thee, what have I? Not having Thee, what have my labors got? Let me enjoy but Thee, what further crave I ? And having Thee alone, what have I not? I wish nor sea nor land ; nor would I be Possessed of heaven, heaven unpossessed of Thee. Francis Quarles. On The Rock. OH! it was lang, Lang syne, mother, When we lived by the sea, Ye wiuna' mind it now, mother, But it 's like yest'reen to me, When I was gatherin' shells, mother. Sae mouy and sae fair, I aye went on and on, mother, And aye — a wee bit mair. A i */! OX THE BOCK. 47 And a' the sea cam' in, mother, Roun' by the creek o' Fyle, And I was left far out, mother, Alane on a sandy isle. O, I was wae and eerie, mother, I gied the wildest cry ; But naething cam' my way, mother, But a sea-gull swoopin' by. I saw the waves come washin', mother, And ripplin' to my feet, And roun' behind my back, mother, I saw the waters meet, Aye lappin' up the sands, mother, An' I cried, " O, maun I die ! " But naething but a gull, mother, Took ony heed o' me. There was a wee bit rock, mother, I stood upon it then, An' the sea cam' rollin' up, mother, An' then I cried again. I stared a dyin' stare, mother, On the waters round and round, But seven waves mair, I thought, mother, The eighth — and I '11 be drowned. And I was countin' them, mother, And O, I never kenned w 48 ROCK OF AGES. Wha' brought me hame to yon, mother, But sure it was a friend. 0, I greeted then for joy, mother, Wi' my head upou your breast; I thought I'd never leave ye mairj O, mother, that was Rest! But, mother, I am goin' now ; I 've been a bairn sin' then, Wanderiu' and wauderin' on, mother, Seekiu' for shells again ; But I forgot the shells, mother, When a' the waves cam' in ; I thought that I maun perish, mother, In those dark waves o' sin. But my feet are on the Rock, mother, No' a wee bit rock like yon, But on the Rock of Ages, mother, An' the waves come rolliu' on ; The waves have risen and fa'en, mother, Mony a time sin' then ; I 've feared to see them sometimes, mother, But they 've aye fa'en back again. I'm waitiu' on the Rock, mother, And one dear voice I hear — lie will lav me in the boat, mother, And take His place quite near; HYMN TO THE SEASONS. 49 For He is going wi' me, mother, " I '11 be with you," He said ; He calls to me frae the boat, mother, " It is I — be not afraid." When I cam' hame to you, mother, I kenned o' naething between; My feet were on the rock, mother — My feet were on the green. My feet are on the Rock, mother ; It may be, afore I ken, I '11 stand on yon sunny shore, mother, And be at hame again. Ay, in a brighter Hame, mother, No sea, — no waves o' sin ; A Hame wi' nane goin' out, mother, But mony comin' in. If tears are there, I'll weep, mother, Upon my Father's breast ; My heart is o'erflowin' now, mother, O, mother, this is Best. R. E. L. in the Sunday Magazine. Hymn to the Seasons. WHEN Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil, When Summer's balmy showers refresh the mower's toil, 4 ■* 50 ROCK OF AGES. When Winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood, In God the earth rejoiceth still, and owns its Maker good. The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shade ; The winds that sweep the mountain, or lull the drowsy glade ; The sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way; The moon, and stars, their Maker's name in silent pomp display. Shall man, the lord of nature, expectant of the sky, — Shall man, alone unthankful, his little praise deny? No; let the year forsake his course, the seasons cease to be, Thee, Master, must we always love, and, Saviour, honor Thee. The flowers of Spring may wither, the hope of Sum- mer fade, The Autumn droop in Winter, the birds forsake the shade, The wind be lulled, the sun and moon forget their old decree, But we in Nature's latest hour, O Lord ! will cling to Thee Bishop Heber. *■ * THE COMPLAINT OF A PILGRIM. 51 The Complaint of a Pilgrim. OLOKD, niy God, the way is rough and long ; And I, through weariness, am faint and failing. *' I am thy staff, and I will strengthen thee, Though earthly help is vain and unavailing." 11 There is no water in this weary land, While thirst consumes my parched and fainting soul." " Come unto me ! of living Streams the Fount ; I will refresh thee ; I will make thee whole." ; ' But, O my Lord ! my heavy daily cross Doth well-nigh weigh me down. Lord, succor me. ■ " I bear it with thee, O faint-hearted One, Who a far heavier cross have borne for thee." Fold not the darkness fondly round thy heart, Think of my mercy sweet, and comfort thee, My poor, unworthy child ; for Mine thou art, And sin alone can snatch my child from Me. " I leave thee never; thou art not alone, And with thine own and thee Mine angels dwell • Possess thy soul in patience ; freely give Me love for love, and all shall yet be well." 52 ROCK OF AGES. u The time is short. They that now weep, erelong Shall be as though they wept not ; they that mourn Be comforted, for I will comfort them; And sweet shall be their -rlad thanksgiving song." Soul of Ciieist. SOUL of Jesus, once for me Offered on the shameful tree, Heal, and make me by that cure, Pure as Thou Thyself art pure ; Thou of life the fountain fair, Draw me in and keep me there. Form of Jesus, One with God, Who the dreadful winepress trod, Man of sorrows drowned in grief, Thou of sin the sole relief, Be Thy sacramental power Present at my dying hour. Holy Jesus, great I Am, Shining in a spotless Lamb, Gentle as the heavenly Dove, Thou the Lord of light and love, By thy passion, by Thy prayer Snatch me from my own despair. *■ * SOUL OF CHRIST. 53 Hide me where that wound was given, Piercing to the heart of heaven. Hide me where those nails unmeet Rent Thy hands and fixed Thy feet. Hide me where red drops ran down From that sad acanthine crown. Blood of Jesus, crimson sea, Glorious as eternity, Fathomless, alone, sublime, Boundless bath of human crime, Me the leper, vile and mean, Plunge me there and make me clean. Water, from that sacred side, Of a God who groaned and died, Blending with the purple gore, When His agony was o'er, Plow in mercy full and free, Plow for sinners, flow for me. Holy Jesus, let me be Never separate from Thee ; Prom the malice of the foe Ward me in the vale of woe ; Lot me, yielding up my breath, Pind a paradise in death. 54 ROCK OF AGES. There no more shall night be known, Safely prostrate at Thy throne; Called by Thee to realms of day, Where all tears are wiped away, Jesus, thou ray rest shalt be, Faith hath found her home in Thee. M. Bridges. Have Faith in Him. HAVE faith in Him who rules the deep And stills the angry wave, At whose dread word the surges sweep O'er many an ocean grave ; Whose hand is in the storm and calm To succor or destroy, — He is thy shield 'gainst every harm, To Him sing songs of joy. Have faith in him ; 'tis not for man To judge His wond'rous ways, He can thy every action scan, To Him sing songs of praise. Have faith in Him who rules the world, Whose eye can compass all, — The rocks from their foundation hurled, And marks the sparrow's fall; Whose voice is in the evening breeze, And in the tempest's roar, */f GOD IS LOVE. 55 Who rules the heaven, the earth, the sea, And can the dead restore. Have faith in Him ; be not afraid To walk within His ways ; Think in His image ye are made, To Him sing songs of praise. J. E. Carpenter. God is Love. I CANNOT always trace the way Where thou, Almighty One, dost move ; But I can always, always say, That God is love. When fear her chilling mantle flings O'er earth, my soul to heaven above, As to her native home, upsprings, For God is love. When mystery clouds my darkened path, I'll check my dread, my doubts reprove, In this my soul sweet comfort hath, That God is love. Yes, God is love ; a thought like this Can every gloomy thought remove, And turn all tears, all woes, to bliss, For God is love. Anon. * 56 JiOCK OF AGES. Consecration- and Trust. THIXE forever! God of love, Hear us from Thy throne above ; Thine forever may we be, Here and in eternity ! Thine forever! Lord of life, Shield us through our earthly strife; Thou the Life, the Truth, the Way, Guide us to the realms of day. Thine forever! O how blest They who And in Thee their rest; Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend, O defend us to the end. Thine forever! Saviour keep These Thy frail and trembling sheep; Safe alone beneath Thy care Let us all Thy goodness share. Thine forever! Thou our Guide, All our wants by Thee supplied, All our sins by Thee forgiven, Led by Thee from earth to heaven. Anon. *■ */t HIS TRUTH, ETC. 57 His Truth Shall Be Thy Shield and Buckler. WHEN my sins in aspect dread Meet like waters o'er my head, Seen in light of God's own face, Darker for His offered grace,— When I sigh for healing rest, By a hopeless yoke opprest, Struggling in a grasp too strong, Borne as by a wind along, — Then I hear that Voice from Heaven, "Knock, and entrance shall be given. Him that comes, whoe'er he be, I will never cast from Me ! " When /come, with trembling heart, Will the Saviour say, "Depart"? Shall I find His pardon free Is in wrath denied to me? Is my guilt so deep in stain That the cleansing blood is vain? " Heaven and earth shall pass away, Not My Words," so Christ doth say. In that hour, " His Truth shall be Shield and buckler unto thee." When the clouds have hid His face, And His path no more I trace, And all comforts that illume Life have faded into gloom, 58 LOCK OF AGES, Quenched each earth-enkindled spark, Can I trust Him in the dark? Will my wavering faith still hold To a promise breathed of old? When I meet some foe unknown, Shall I find myself alone ? Soul, by faith thou walkest here, Though nor sun nor stars appear, Wait and watch throughout the night, And till daybreak ask not sight ! All unseen, thy Heavenly Guide Walks, through darkness, at thy side. " Heaven and earth shall pass away. Not My Words," so Christ doth say. In the gloom. " His TRUTH shall be Shield and buckler unto thee." In the terrors of the night, In the mid-day arrows' flight, When destruction wasteth near. And all faces blanch with fear. When a thousand round me fall, Shall I trust Thee, calm through all? Will this trembling spirit be Kept " in perfect peace " by Thee? Though all stable things may end, Earth and sky in tempest blend, Shall I lean upon Thy breast, And beneath Thy shadow rest? HIS TRUTH, ETC. 59 Wilt Thou arm my soul with power, Ne'er experienced till that hour? " Heaven and earth shall pass away, Not My Words," so Christ doth say. In that strait, " His Truth shall be Shield and buckler unto thee." As the weary years go by, Will my love wax cold, and die? If the pilgrimage be long, Life be dark, and foes be strong, Shall I not grow faint, and yield? Shall I ever win the field ? How shall I endure and dare? How the cross in patience bear? How through tedious years sustain Wavering conflict, oft in vain ? Nay, but the Unchanging Friend 11 Will confirm you to the end ! " " He who hath the work begun Ne'er will leave that work undone ; " While at God's right hand He lives, Deathless is the life He gives, Through all change, and woe, and strife, " Springing up to endless life." •• Heaven and earth shall pass away, Not My Words," so Christ doth say. In all years " His Truth shall be Shield and buckler unto thee." ■* 60 ROCK OF AGES. When I reach life's earthly bound, And the shadows darken round, All familiar things and dear Fading fast from eye and oar, — In that hour of mortal smart, Trembling flesh and failing heart, Shall I find my anchor vain, Parting in that latest strain? Hear the Shepherd's voice of old, Looking on His helpless fold, Looking far, with gaze divine. Down the ages' lengthening line: " Every feeble sheep I know : Life eternal I bestow : None shall pluck them from My hand." Shall that word of promise stand? Or, when countless foes affright, Closing round in latest fight, — In that deadly hour and dim, Shall my soul be snatched from Him ? " Heaven and earth shall pass away, Xot My Words. — " so Christ doth say. In death's grasp, " His Truth shall be Shield and buckler unto thee.'' H. A.D. ► «- ■* WHY DOST THOU WAIT1 61 Why Dost Thou Wait? POOR trembling lamb ! Ah, who outside the fold Has bid thee stand all weary as thou art? Dangers around thee, and the bitter cold, Creeping and gnawing at thine inmost heart ; Who bids thee wait till some mysterious feeling, Thou knowest not what — perchance may'st never know — Shall find thee where in darkness thou art kneeling, And fill thee with a rich and wondrous glow Of love and faith ; and change to warmth and light The chill and darkness of thy spirit's night ? For miracles like this who bids thee wait? Behold, "the Spirit and the Bride say, Come." The tender Shepherd opens wide the gate, And in His love would lead thee gently home. Why shouldst thou wait? Long centuries ago, Thou timid lamb, the Shepherd paid for thee. Thou art His own. Wouldst thou His beauty know, Nor trust the love which yet thou canst not see ? Thou hast not learned this lesson to receive, 11 More blest are they who see not, yet believe." Still dost thou wait for feeling? Dost thou say, " Fain would I love and trust, but hope is dead ; I have no faith, and without faith who may Rest in the blessing which is only shed 62 ROCK OF AGES. Upon the faithful? I must stand and wait." Not so. The Shepherd does not ask of thee ?aith iu thy faith, but only faith in Him; And this He meant in saying, " Come to me." In light or darkness seek to do His will, And leave the work of faith to Jesus still. Anon. Daily Prayer. COME to the morning prayer, Come, let us kneel and pray : Prayer is the Christian pilgrim's staff, To walk with God all day. At noon, beneath the Rock Of Ages, rest and pray ; Sweet is that shelter from the heat, When the sun smites by day. At evening, shut thy door, Round the home altar pray ; And, finding there the house of God, At heaven's gate close the day. When midnight veils our eyes, O, it is sweet to say, I sleep, but my heart waketh, Lord, With thee to watch and pray ! *- EVENING MEDITATIONS. 63 Evening Meditations. f pHE twilight falls ; the night is near : A I fold my work away, And kneel to One who bends to hear The story of the day. The old, old story; yet I kneel To tell it at Thy call, And cares grow lighter as I feel That Jesus knows them all. Yes, all ! The morning and the night, The joy, the grief, the loss, The roughened path, the sunbeam bright, The hourly thorn and cross — Thou knowest all. I lean my head, My weary eyelids close, Content and glad awhile to tread The path, since Jesus knows. And He has loved me ! All my heart With answering love is stirred, And every anguished pain and smart Finds healing in the word. So here I lay me down to rest, As nightly shadows fall, And lean, confiding on His breast Who knows and pities all. C4 ROCK OF AGES. Tin: Hour of Prater. MY God ! is any hour so sweet, From blush ot mora to evening star, As that which calls me to Thy feet, The hour of prayer? Blest is the tranquil hour of morn, And blest the hour of solemn eve, When, on the wings of prayer up-borne, The world I leave. Then is my strength by Thee renewed; Then are my sins by Thee forgiven ; Then dost Thou cheer my solitude With hopes of heaven. No words can teli what sweet relief There for my every want I find; What strength for warfare, balm for grief, What peace of mind. Hushed is each doubt, gone every fear; My spirit seems in heaven to stay; And e'en the penitential tear Is wiped away. Lord ! till I reach that blissful shore, No privilege so dear shall be, As thus my inmost soul to pour In prayer to Thee. c. Elliot. * •^ FEAR NOT, BUT TRUST. 65 Fear Not, but Trust. " A H, pilot ! 't is a fearful night, xjL There 's danger on the deep ; I'll come and pace the deck with thee, I do not dare to sleep." " Go down ! " the sailor cried, " go down . This is no place for thee ; Fear not, but trust in Providence, Wherever thou mayst be." " Ah, pilot! dangers often met, We all are apt to slight ; And thou hast known the raging waves But to subdue their might." "It is not apathy," he cried, " That gives this strength to me; Fear not, but trust in Providence, Wherever thou mayst be. " In such a night, the sea ingulfed My father's lifeless form ; My only brother's boat went down In just so wild a storm. And such, perhaps, may be my fate, But still I say to thee, Fear not, but trust in Providence, Wherever thou mayst be." Thomas Haynes Bafly. ■* 66 HOCK OF AGES. Cfirist the Refuge. TOSSING in dreamy sleep, Rocked on the foam, Sad and sick, weak and worn, Far from his home, Sighs the lone wanderer, Seeking, in vain, Rest from his weariness, Ease from his pain. So Christ, the sinner's friend, Mighty to save, Slumbered once, wearily, Tossed on the wave, Slept as the innocent Only can sleep, — Slept till the wind arose O'er the wild deep. Then, from His slumber roused, Calmly He spoke, While o'er the vessel's deck Rude billows broke. " Wild winds and stormy waves, Peace, peace, be still," — Wild winds and stormy waves Bowed to His will. * PRAYER AT SEA. 67 We are the wanderers, Rocked on the foam, Sad and sick, weak and worn, Far from our home, Sighing and lonely, Seeking in vain Rest from our weariness, Ease from our pain. Speak to our troubled hearts, Saviour divine, Say to the tired and weak, — " Peace, thou art mine." Glad, to this sheltering Rock, Dear Lord, we flee, None ever sought in vain Refuge in Thee. S. F. Smith. Peayer at Sea. PRAYER may be sweet in cottage homes, Where sire and child devoutly kneel, While through the open casement nigh The vernal blossoms fragrant steal. Prayer may be sweet in stately halls, Where heart with kindred heart is blent, And upward to th' eternal throne The hymn of praise melodious sent. * 68 ROCK OF AGES. But he who fain would know how warm The soul's appeal to God may be, From friends and native land should turn, A wanderer on the faithless sea. — Should hear its deep, imploring tone Rise heavenward o'er the foaming surge, "When billows toss the fragile bark, And fearful blasts the conflict urge. Nought, nought appears but sea and sky, No refuge where the foot may flee : How will he cast, O Rock divine, The anchor of his soul on Thee ! L. n. Bigocrnet and n. S. "Washbcrk. The Lighthouse. A MAN once built a lighthouse, And he built it on a rock, And he boasted it should bear unscathed The storm's severest shock ; " Of engineers I '11 be," quoth he, "The proudest and the first; There stands my work, and it shall stand; The waves may do their worst." w THE LIGHTHO USE, 6 9 And stand it did, amid the sea, Amid the shifting sand, A fairer work to look upon Ne'er came from mortal hand. Forth went the word ! the winds arose, The waves came thundering on, At sundown it was standing, The day broke, it was gone. Another engineer then came, A wiser, humbler man, One who revered his Maker's word, And loved His works to scan ; He stood before a forest oak, And marked its structure well, He saw its slowly tapering height, Its bold descending swell. He gave it thought, he gathered hope, And like a brave man there, Felt it no shame to bow his heart In thankfulness and prayer. To work he went, and this he graved Upon the first-laid stone, " Man may build up, the strength to stand Must come from God alone." Slow rose the work, but safely slow, Firm as the rooted oak ; ■* 70 ROCK OF AGES. Day after day, storm after storm, Above that lighthouse broke ; At last came one, and seamen said, While yet they saw it loom, "If it stand this, why, it will stand Until the day of doom." The storm passed on, long years are gone, The engineer sleeps well, And still around that lighthouse tower, The eddying billows swell ; And many a tar, from many a land, Through many a stormy night, Still breathes a prayer for him that reared That Heaven-protected light. W. H. Bellamy. Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep. ROCKED in the cradle of the deep, I lay me down in peace to sleep ; Secure I rest upon the wave, For Thou, Lord, hast power to save. I know Thou wilt not slight my call. For Thou dost mark the sparrow's fall, And calm and peaceful shall I sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep. ** THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 71 And such the trust that still were mine, Though stormy winds sweep o'er the brine, Or though the tempest's fiery breath Roused me from sleep to wreck and death ! In ocean cave, still safe with Thee, The germ of immortality ! And calm and peaceful shall I sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep. Mrs. Willard. The Spiritual Temple. AND whither came these goodly stones ' T was Israel's pride to raise ; The glory of the former house, The joy of ancient days ; In purity and strength erect, In radiant splendor bright, Sparkling with golden beams of noon, Or silver smiles of night? From coasts the stately cedar crowns Each noble slab was brought, In Lebanon's deep quarries hewn, And on its mountains wrought ; There rung the hammer's heavy stroke Among the echoing rocks ; There chased the chisel's keen, sharp edge, The rude, unshapen blocks. *■ 72 ROCK OF AGES. Thence polished, perfected, complete, Each fitted to its place, For lofty coping, massive walls, Or deep imbedded b They bore them o'er the waves that rolled Their billowy swell between The shores of Tyre's imperial pride, And Judah's hills of green. With gradual toil the work went on, Through days, and months, and years, Beneath the Summer's laughing sun, And Winter's frozen tears. And thus in majest}' sublime And noiseless pomp it rose, Fit dwelling for the God of peace, A temple of repose. Brethren in Christ, to holier things The simple type apply; Our God himself a temple builds, Eternal, and on high, Of ransomed souls ; their Zion there, That world of light and bliss; Their Lebanon, the place of toil, Of previous moulding, this ! From Nature's quarries, deep and dark, With gracious aim He hews THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 73 The stones, the spiritual stones, It pleaseth Him to choose ; Hard, rugged, shapeless at the first, Yet destined each to shine, Moulded beneath His patient hand In purity divine. glorious process ! see the proud Grow lowly, gentle, meek; See floods of unaccustomed tears Gush down the hardened cheek : Perchance the hammer's heavy stroke O'erthrew some idol fond, Perchance the chisel rent in twain Some precious, tender bond. Behold, he prays, whose lips were sealed In quiet scorn before ! Sighs for the closet's holy calm, And hails the welcome door. Behold, he works for Jesus now, Whose days went idly past ! O for more mouldings of the Hand That works a change so vast ! Ye looked on one, a well- wrought stone, A saint of God matured, What chisellings that heart had felt! What chastening strokes endured ! »!♦ 74 nOCK OF AGES. Bat marked ye not that last soft touch What perfect grace it gave, Ere Jesus bore His servant home Across the darksome wave? Home to the place His grace designed That chosen soul to fill, In the bright temple of the saved, Upon His holy hill. Home to the noiselessness, the peace Of those sweet shrines above, Whose stones shall never be displaced, Set in redeeming love. Lord, chisel, chasten, polish us, Each blemish wash away ; Cleanse us with purifying blood, In spotless robes array ; And thus, Thine image on us stamped, Transport us to the shore Where not a stroke is ever felt, For none is needed more. Fighting the Battle of Life. FIGHTING the battle of life, With a weary heart and bead; For in the midst of the strife, The banners of joy are fled. FIGHTING THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 75 Fled and gone out of sight, When I thought they were so near, And the music of hope this night Is dying away on my ear. Fighting the whole day long, With a very tired hand, With only my armor strong, — The shelter in which I stand. There is nothing left for we, If all my strength were shown, So small the amount would be, Its presence could scarce be known. Fighting alone to-night, With not e'en a stander by To cheer me in the fight, Or to hear me when I cry. Only the Lord can hear, Only the Lord can see The struggle within how dark and drear, Though quiet the outside be. Fighting alone to-night, With what a sinking heart ; Lord Jesus, in the fight O stand not Thou apart. *t * 76 ROCK OF AGES. Body and mind have tried To make the field my own ; But when the Lord is on my side, lie doeth the work alone. And when He hideth Ilis face, And the battle-clouds prevail, It is only through His grace That I do not utterly fail. The word of old was true, And its truth shall never cease, — " The Lord shall fight for you, And ye shall hold your peace." Lord, I would fain be still And quiet behind my shield ; But make me to love Thy will, For fear I should ever yield. Nothing but perfect trust, And love of Thy perfect will, Can raise me out of the dust, And bid my fears be stiil. Lord, fix my eyes upon Thee, And fire my heart with Thy love; And keep my soul till the shadows flee, And the light breaks forth above. anou. * HE GOETH BEFORE THEM. 11 The Christian's Conflict. BREAST the wave, Christian, when it is strongest ; Watch for day, Christian, when the night's longest ; Onward and onward still be thine endeavor, The rest that remaineth will be forever. Fight the fight, Christian, Jesus is o'er thee; Run the race, Christian, heaven is before thee; He who hath promised faltereth never, The love of eternity flows on forever. Raise the eye, Christian, just as it closeth; Lift the heart, Christian, ere it reposeth; Thee from the love of Christ nothing shall sever, Mount when thy work is done, praise Him for- ever. Anon. " He Goeth Before Them." THE winds blow fierce across the barren wild ; The storm-clouds gather darkly on our way ; 'T is cold ! But 0, that loving face and mild Which goes before ! There first the shadows stay ; And tempests reach Him first, our Shepherd there, What He endures^ shall we complain to bear ? •* 78 ROCK OF AGES. The night comes on, 'tis dark ; the stars are dim ; We cannot see the way. But O. that form Which goes before! The sight comes first to Him, And darkness first is His, as was the storm : Shall we shrink back or tremble to go on, Where He, our Shepherd, first for us hath gone? The way is rough, and wearying steeps arise ; And thorns are there to wound our aching feet ; But ho, those sacred footsteps, firm and wise, Which go before ! They first the roughness meet, And briars reach them first. O, shall we dread To bear His cross, to walk where He hath led? The stream is reached, the river dark and cold; The waves are high. But O, that mighty One Who goes before ! The billows o'er Him rolled ; He crossed the waters first; and shall we shun The final anguish which our Shepherd bore? His hand shall guide us to the other shore. He goes before ! And so we may not look Backward at all, but onward evermore, Keeping in sight the blessed path He took, Patient to bear each cross He meekly bore, Trusting His wisdom in the darkest hour, O'ercoming every trial through His power. Ajjon. 4* *.* PEACE. 79 Press Forward and Fear Not. PRESS forward and fear not ; the billows may roll, But the power of Jesus their rage can control ; Though waves rise in anger, their tumult shall cease. One word of His bidding shall hush them to peace. Press forward and fear not ; though trial be near, The Lord is our refuge, — whom then shall we fear? His staff is our comfort, our safeguard His rod ; Then let us be steadfast, and trust in our God. Press forward and fear not ; be strong in the Lord, In the power of His promise, the truth of His word ; Through the sea and the desert our pathway may tend, But He who hath saved us will save to the end. Press forward and fear not ; we'll speed on our way ; Why should we e'er shrink from our path in dismay ? We tread but the road which our Leader has trod ; Then let us press forward, and trust in our God. Anon. Peace. FIERCE were the wild billows, Dark was the night ; Oars labored heavily, Foam glittered white ; w 80 JIOCK OF AGES. Mariners trembled, Peril was nigh : Then said the God of God, " Peace! It is I." Ridge of the mountain ware, Lower thy crest; "Wail of Euroclydon, Be thou at rest ; Peril can none be, Sorrow must fly, When saith the Light of Light, "Peace! It is I." Jesus, Deliverer, Come Thou to me; Soothe Thou my voyaging Over life's sea. Thou, when the storm of death Roars, sweeping by, Whisper, Truth of Truth ! "Peace! It is I." Saint Anatoltus. Shadow and Substahcb. THIS life is like a flying dream, Or like the vapor from the stream, Or like the grass that grows to-day, But fad ex away When winds across it roughly play. *■ 4 9 THE DOVE. 81 Only Thyself, ray God, art Thou Just as Thou wert, my refuge Thou, Though rock and mountain be destroyed, There is no void, With Thy loved presence still enjoyed. Upon my Saviour I would lean, And learn as moments quickly fly, Self to deny, Dead to the world, before I die. Vain joys, away ! yea, spread your wings, For I have tasted better things ; I seek a portion all divine, Ever to shine : Lord Jesus, make me wholly Thine. Anon. The Dove. THERE was Hope in the ark at the dawn of the day, When o'er the wide waters the dove flew away. But when, ere the night, she came wearily back With the leaf she had plucked on her desolate track, The children of Noah knelt down and adored, And uttered in anthems their praise to the Lord, — 6 t 82 ROCK OF AGES. " O bird of glad tidings ! O joy in our pain ! Beautiful dove, thou art welcome again ! " When peace has departed the care-stricken breast. And the feet of the weary one languish for rest; When the world is a wide-spreading ocean of grief. How blest the return of the bird and the leaf; Reliance on God is the dove to our ark, And peace is the olive she plucks in the dark. The deluge abates, there is sun after rain, Beautiful dove, thou art welcome again ! Charles Mackay. Prayer for Strength. FATHER, before Thy footstool kneeling, Once more my heart goes up to Thee, For aid, for strength, to Thee appealing — Thee, who alone canst succor me. Hear me ; for heart and flesh are failing, My spirit yielding in the strife ; And anguish, wild as unavailing. Sweeps in a flood across my life. Help me to stem the tide of sorrow ; Help me to bear Thy chastening rod ; Give me endurance; let me borrow Strength from Thy promise, O my God ! * PRATER FOR STRENGTH. 83 Not mine the grief which words may lighten ; Not mine the tears of common woe ; The pang with which my heartstrings tighten Only th' All-seeing One may know. And I am weak ; my feeble spirit Shrinks from life's task in wild dismay ; Yet not that Thou that task wouldst spare it, My Father, do I dare to pray. Into my soul Thy might infusing, Strengthening my spirit by Thine own, Help me, all other aid refusing, To cling to Thee, and Thee alone. And O, in my exceeding weakness, Make Thy strength perfect : Thou art strong ; Aid me to do Thy will with meekness, Thou, to whom all my powers belong. Saviour, our human form once wearing, Help by the memory of that day, When, painfully Thy dark cross bearing, E'en for a time Thy strength gave way. Beneath a lighter burden sinking, Jesus, I cast myself on Thee ; Forgive, forgive this useless shrinking From trials that I know must be. 84 ROCK OF AGES. O, let me feel that Thou art near me, Close to my side, I shall not fear : Hear me, Strength of Israel ! hear me; Sustain and aid, in mercy hear. Anon. Hope Only in Christ. WHEN the nations toss and roar, Like the billows on the shore, "When their chains the people break, Leaders tremble, monarchs quake ; Midst the roaring of the sea, Christ, our hope is all in Tbee. When the nations are at peace, And the sounds of conflict cease; "When each port is choked with wares, And each field its harvest bears ; • Mid the world's prosperity, Christ, our hope is all in Thee. While the ages one by one Roll beneath the rolling sun ; While the powers of death and life Wage on earth a weary strife; Till the coining dawn we see, Christ, our hope is all in Thee. Anon *■ IT IS li HE NOT AFRAID. 85 " It is I ; Be Not Afraid." TOSSED with rough winds, and faint with fear, Above the tempest, soft and clear, What still, small accents greet mine ear? '"T is I; be not afraid. " 'T is I, who washed thy spirit white; 'T is I, who gave thy bliud eyes sight; ' T is I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light : ' T is I ; be not afraid. " These raging winds, this surging sea, Bear not a breath of wrath to thee ; That storm has all been spent on me : ' T is I ; be not afraid." " This bitter cup, I drank it first; To thee, it is no draught accurst ; The hand that gives it thee is pierced: ' T is I ; be not afraid." 11 Mine eyes are watching by thy bed, Mine arms are underneath thy head, My blessing is around thee shed : ' T is I : be not afraid." 86 ROCK OF AGES. " When on the other side, thy feet Shall rest ' mid thousand welcomes sweet, One well-known voice thy heart shall greet : ' T is I ; be not afraid." From out the dazzling majesty Gently He '11 lay His hand on thee, Saving, "Beloved, lov'st thou me?" 'T was not in vain I died for thee. "•TisI; be not afraid." Anon. Come to Me! WITH tearful eyes I look around ; Life seems a dark and stormy sea ; Yet 'midst the gloom I hear a sound, A heavenly whisper — Come to Me! It tells me of a place of rest; It tells me where my soul may flee : O, to the weary, faint, opprest, How sweet the bidding — Come to Me I When the poor heart with anguish learns That earthly props resigned must be, And from each broken cistern turns, It hears the accents — Come to Me! *■ * TRUST. 87 When against sin I strive in vain, And cannot from its yoke get free, Sinking beneath the heavy chain, The words arrest me — Come to Me ! When nature shudders, loath to part From all I love, enjoy, and see ; When a faint chill steals o'er my heart, A sweet voice utters — Come to Me ! Come, for all else must fail and die ; Earth is no resting-place for thee ; Heavenward direct thy weeping eye ; I am thy portion — Come to Me ! voice of mercy, voice of love ! In conflict, grief, and agony, Support me, cheer me from above, And gently whisper — Come to Me ! Charlotte Elliott. Trust. THE child leans on its parent's breast, Leaves there its cares, and is at rest : The bird sits singing by its nest, And tells aloud His trust in God, and so is blest ' Neath every cloud. ■* •>«- 88 ROCK OF AGES. He hath no store, he sows no seed, Yet sings aloud, and doth not need; By flowing streams or grassy mead, He sings to shame Men, who forget, in fear of need, A Father's name. The heart that trusts forever sings, And feels as light as it had wings; A well of peace within it springs; Come good or ill, Whate'er to-day, to-morrow brings, It is His will ! Isaac Williams. The Saviour's Side. INHERE is an everlasting Home - Where contrite souls may hide, Where death and danger dare not come, The Saviour's side. It was a cleft of matchless love Opened when He had died, When mercy hailed in worlds above That wouuded side. *■ TAKE UP THY CROSS, ETC. 89 Hail! Rock of Ages, pierced for me, The grave of all my pride ; Hope, Peace and Heaven are all in Thee, Thy sheltering side. There issued forth the double flood, The sin-atoning tide, In streams of water and of blood From that dear side. There is the only fount of bliss In joy and sorrow tried; No refuge for the heart like this, A Saviour's side. Thither the Church, through all her days, Points as a faithful guide, And celebrates with ceaseless praise That spear-pierced side. M. Bridges. " Take Up Thy Cross, and Follow Me." THE way seems long, dear Leader, and my feet Are weary, pressing oft these thorns ; ' twere sweet, Mcthinks, to rest, — this heavy cross remove ; Thou surely need'st not thus my love to prove. 90 ROCK OF AGES. " Rest not, weak heart, nor lay thy burden down, For earth's short rest, would'st lose thy heavenly crown ? " The way is dark, dear Leader; mists arise That hide Thy blessed presence from my eyes; I stumble on this lonely mountain wild. loving Father! spare me, spare Thy child. " Dost hear My voice? then follow as I bade, Thou 'rt safe, if firm on Me thy trust is stayed. ■ But I am faint, dear Leader, and I sink ; " My steps are well nigh gone "; upon the briuk 1 helpless fall, — put forth Thy mighty power, And save me, loving Father, in this hour. "Drink freely of the brook that floweth by. Then lift the head, thy Leader still is nigh." And must it thus, dear Leader, ever be? And may we here no restiug-place e'er see; Though faint and weary, light or dark the way. Press forward e'er, to reach heaven's blessed day? "Enough, that, as the Master, thou should'st live; Faithful to death, thou Shalt the crown receive." Onward, dear Jesus ! safely by Thee led, "Faint, yet pursuing," still the path I '11 tread: Gird me with strength, then e'er my prayer shall be, " Father, e'en so, it seemeth good to Thee"; *■ *< THE SECRET PLACE. 91 " And as thy days, thy strength shall ever be, While heaven's eternal glory waiteth thee." F. R. Whiton. " The Secret Place." THERE is a safe and secret place Beneath the wings divine, Reserved for all the heirs of grace : 0, be that refuge mine ! The least and feeblest there may bide, Uninjured and unawed; While thousands fall on every side, He rests secure in God. He feeds in pastures large and fair, Of love and truth divine ; child of God ! O glory's heir! How rich a lot is thine ! A hand almighty to defend, An ear for every call, An honored life, a peaceful end, And heaven to crown it all ! Hawlet. *■ 92 ROCK OF AGES. " That Rock was Christ." INTERNAL Bock, to Thee I fly, J In Thy rent Assures would I hide; No rill of mercy flows to me, But issues from Thy wounded side. Earth's fondest hopes and brightest dreams Are fitful, fugitive and vain ; The best of its polluted streams I only drink to thirst again. Forgiveness, peace, salvation, heaven, Jesus, I owe alone to Thee ; The Rock whose clefts for me were riven, The smitten one of Calvary. Anon. Is Tins All? SOMETIMES I catch sweet glimpses of His face, But that is all. Sometimes He looks on me and seems to smile, But that is all. Sometimes He speaks a passing word of peace, But that is all. Sometimes I think I hear His loviug voice Upon me call. *- ^ IS THIS ALL 7 93 And is this all He meant when thus He spoke, "Come unto Me "? Is there no deeper, more enduring rest, In Him for thee? Is there no steadier light for thee in Him? 0, come and see ! 0, come and see ! O, look, and look again ! All shall be right ; O, taste His love, and see that it is good ! Thou child of night. O, trust Him, trust Him in His grace and power, Then all is bright ! Nay, do not wrong Him by thy heavy thoughts, But love His love ! Do thou full justice to His tenderness, His mercy prove ; Take Him for what He is ; O, take Him all, And look above ! Then shall thy tossing soul find anchorage And steadfast peace ; Thy love shall rest on His ; thy weary doubts Forever cease. Thy heart shall find in Him, and in His grace, Its rest and bliss. * *■ 94 ROCK OF AGES. Christ and His love shall be thy blessed all Forevermore ! Christ and His light shall shine on all thy ways Forevermore ! Christ and His peace shall keep thy troubled soul Forevermore ! Bonar. "The Rock that is Higher than I." LEAD me to the Rock that is higher than I, In its shelter I '11 hide while the storm passes by ; I '11 yield, like the floweret that bends to the gale, And bow without breaking while tempests assail : Then rising anew when the storm is o'erpast, Adore Him who sends both the storm and the blast. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, When the glare of the noontide is high in the sky, When faint from the burden and heat of the day, O, lend me Thy screen from the sun's burning ray ; Within Thy cool shadow my altar I '11 raise, And send up the incense of prayer and of praise. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, Where my path through the desert is scorching and dry, My spirit shall find her deep cravings supplied In the streams of salvation that flow from Thy side ; *:• DARK IS THE WATERY WAY. 95 I '11 bathe where Thy waters refreshingly stray, And thence with rejoicing go forth on my way. 0, draw me, kind Father, in faith to Thy side, In Thy secret pavilion I fain would abide ; My covert in danger, my screen from the heat, My spirit's refreshment, my one sure retreat ; strong Rock of Ages, my frailty sustain, Though mountains should crumble, Thou still shalt remain. Anon. Dark is the "Watery Way. DARK is the watery way Of life's tempestuous sea; And none, Christ ! are safe, but they Who put their trust in Thee. Loud is the stormy wind ; The seamen are afraid ; But those shall strength and mercy find, Whose souls on Christ are stayed. The winds they do not fear Nor dread the thunder's noise; The Saviour's cheering voice they hear; And evermore rejoice. 4> 96 ROCK OF AGES. It is our Saviour's skill. Our Saviour's arm of might, Which guides the tossing ship at will And puts our fears to llight. Praise to the Pilot's power ! Praise to the Pilot's hand ! That, faithful most in danger's hour, Shall bring us safe to land. Anoji. A Present Help. Y1 T E may not climb the heavenly steeps 1 " To bring the Saviour down; In vain we search the lowest deeps, For Him no depth can drown. But warm, sweet, tender, even yet A present help is He ; And faith has yet its Olivet, And love its Galilee. The healing of His seamless dress Is by our beds of pain ; We touch Him in life's throng and press, And we are whole again. * THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE. 97 Through Him the first fond prayers are said Our lips of childhood frame, The last low whispers of our dead Are burdened with His name. O Lord and Master of us all ! Whate'er our name or sign, We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call, We test our lives by Thine. Whittier. The Angel of Patience. A GENTLE Angel walketh around this world of woe, With messages of mercy to mourning hearts below ; His peaceful smile invites them to love and to confide, follow in His footsteps, keep closely by His side. So gently will He lead thee through all the cloudy day, And whisper of glad tidings to cheer the pilgrim's way; His courage never failing, when theirs is almost gone, He takes thy heavy burden and helps to bear :'t on. ■4* >* 98 ROCK OF AGES. To soft and tearful sadness He changes dumb des- pair, And soothes to deep submission the storm of grief and care ; Where midnight shades are brooding, He pours the light of noon, And every grievous wound He heals most surely, if not soon. He will not blame thy sorrow, while He brings the healing balm ; He does not chide thy longings, while He soothes them into calm ; And when thy heart is murmuring, and wildly asking why, He, smiling, beckons forward, points upward to the sky. He will not always answer thy questions and thy fear, His watchword is "Be patient, the journey's end is near ! " And ever through the toilsome way, He tells of joys to come, And points the pilgrim to his rest, the wanderer tc his home. Anon. YEN LY LIFE. 99 Heavenly Life. OTHOU who hearest prayer, The God of power and might, To seek Thy face be all our care, Our whole delight. O God of grace and love ! Regard us from Thy throne ; Send down to us the heavenly Dove, Seal us Thine own. We have no other trust, But Thy dear sacrifice ; Our hope, Thou holy One and just, Do not despise ; Sinful, we plead Thy blood, Weak, we implore Thy power ; Saviour, remember us for good In danger's hour. Come with Thy saving strength, With healing virtue come, And let Thy guiding hand at length Conduct us home : Till saved from all annoy Of earthly fear and strife, We enter into endless joy, And heavenly life. ■* 100 ROCK OF AGES. The Sinner's Friend. OTIIOU, the contrite sinner's Friend, Who loving, lov'st them to the end, On this alone ray hopes depend, That Thou wilt plead for me ! When, weary in the Christian race, Far off appears my resting-place, And fainting, I mistrust Thy grace, Then, Saviour, plead for me ! When I have erred and gone astray Afar from Thine and wisdom's way, And see no glimmering guiding ray, Still, Saviour, plead for me ! When Satan, by my sins made bold, Strives from Thy cross to loose my hold, Then with Thy pitying arms enfold, And plead, O, plead for me ! And when my dying hour draws near, Darkened witli anguish, guilt, and fear, Then to my fainting sight appear, Pleading in heaven for me I * •* HYMN, 101 When the fiill light of heavenly day Reveals my sins in dread array, Say, Thou hast washed them all away ; O, say, Thou plead'st for me ! Charlotte Elliott. Hymn. OHOLY Saviour ! Friend unseen, The faint, the weak, on Thee may lean; Help me, throughout life's varying scene, By faith to cling to Thee ! Blest with communion so divine, Take what Thou wilt, shall I repine, When, as the branches to the vine, My soul may cling to Thee ? Far from her home, fatigued, opprest, Here she has found a place of rest, An exile still, yet not unblest, While she can cling to Thee ! Without a murmur I dismiss My former dreams of earthly bliss ; My joy, my recompense be this, 102 ROCK OF AGES. What though the world deceitful prove, And earthly Mends and joys remove, With patient, uncomplaining love, Still would I cling to Thee ! Oft when I seem to tread aloue Some barren waste with thorns o'ergrown, A voice of love, in gentlest tone, Whispers, " Still cling to Me ! " Though faith and hope awhile be tried, I ask not, need not, aught beside; How safe, how calm, how satisfied, The souls that cling to Thee ! They fear not life's rough storms to brave, Since Thou art near, and strong to save ; Nor shudder e'en at death's dark wave, Because they cling to Thee ! Blest is my lot, whate'er befall ; What can disturb me, who appal, While, as my strength, my rock, my all, Saviour, I cling to Thee ? Charlotte Elliott. * A UNDERTAKE FOR ME. 103 Undertake For Me! S those that watch for the dav, Through the restless night of pain, When the first faint streaks of gray Bring rest and ease again ; As they turn their sleepless eyes The Eastern sky to see, Long hours before sunrise, So waiteth my soul for Thee. As those that watch for the day, Through the long, long night of grief, When the soul can only pray That the day may bring relief, When the eyes, with weeping spent, No dawn of hope can see, But the heart keeps watch intent, So waiteth my soul for Thee. As those that watch for the day, Through that deepest night of all, When trembling and sin have sway, And the shades of Thy absence fall ; As they search through clouds of fear The Morning Star to see, And the Light of Life appear, So waiteth my soul for Thee. 104 ROCK OF AGES. As those that watch for the day, And know that the day will rise, Though the weary hours delay, As they pa>s under midnight skies; Though the Sun of Righteousness Only Faith's eye can see, Because Thou hast promised to bless, Lord Jesus, I wait for Thee. Anon. He Leads Us On. HE leads us on, By paths we did not know ; Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow. Though oft we faint and falter on the way. Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day, Yet, when the clouds are gone, We know He leads us on. He leads us on Through all the unquiet years ; Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts, and fears, He guides our steps. Through all the tangled maze Of sin, of sorrow, and o'erclouded days. We know His will is done ; And still He leads us on. * SERVING GOD. 105 And He, at last, After the weary strife, — After the restless fever we call life, After the dreariness, the aching pain, The wayward struggles which have proved in vain, After our toils are past, Will give us rest at last. Serving God. ONOT to fill the mouth of Fame 5 My longing soul is stirred; O, give me a diviner name, — Call me thy servant, Lord. Sweet title, that delighteth me, Rank earnestly implored ; O, what can reach my dignity ? I am thy servant, Lord. No longer would my soul be known As self-sustained and free ; 0, not mine own; O, not mine own; Lord, I belong to Thee. In each aspiring burst of prayer, Sweet leave my soul would ask Thine every burden, Lord, to bear, To do Thine every task. ►H 106 ROCK OF AGES. Forever, Lord, thy servant ehoose; Nought of thy claim abate; The glorious name I would not lose, Nor change the BWeet estate. In life, in death, on earth, in heaven, No other name for me ; The same sweet style aud title given Through all eternity. Ye are not Your Own. ONOT my own these verdant hills, • And fruits and flowers, and stream and wood, But His, who all with glory fills, Who bought me with His precious blood. O, not my own this wondrous frame, Its curious work, its living soul, But His, who for my ransom came, Slain for my sake, He claims the whole. 0, not my own the grace that keeps My feet from fierce temptations free; O. not my own the thought that leaps, to Thee. *■ * LORD! UNTO THEE WE CRY. 107 O, " not my own," I '11 soar and sing, When life with all its toils is o'er ; And Thou thy trembling lamb shalt bring Safe home, to wander never more. S. F. Smith. Lord! unto Thee we Cry. LORD ! unto Thee we cry, When trouble o'er us steals, Our refuge is on high, Our trust Thy love reveals ; To Thee alone we bend, For Thine alone the power, Our Father and our Friend, In sorrow's darkest hour ! Lord ! unto Thee we cry, For whither should we go? The fount is never dry From whence Thy mercies flow. Grant that those sacred streams Of Thine eternal love May waft us from our dreams To sunnier shores above. J. E. Carpenter. * 108 ROCK OF AGES. " All Things are Yours." IF God is mine, then present things, And things to come, tire mine; Yea, Chri>t, His Word, and Spirit too, And glory all divine. If He is mine, then from His love He every trouble sends; All things are working for my good, And bliss His rod attends. If He is mine, I need not fear The rage of earth and hell ; He will support my feeble power, And every foe repel. If He is mine, let friends forsake, Let wealth and honor flee ; Sure He who giveth me Himself, Is more than these to me. If He is mine, I'll boldly pass Through death's dark, gloomy vale; He is solid comfort, when All other comforts fail. THUS FAR THE LORD HATH LED US. 109 O tell me, Lord, that Thou art mine ; What can I wish beside ? My soul shall at the Fountain live, When all the streams are dried. Thus Far the Lord Hath Led Us. ' PHUS far the Lord hath led us, in darkness and in X day, Through all the varied stages of the narrow home- ward way ; Long since He took that journey, He trod that path alone, Its trials and its dangers full well Himself hath known. Thus far the Lord hath led us ; the promise has not failed, The enemy encountered oft has never quite prevailed ; The shield of faith has turned aside, or quenched each fiery dart, The Spirit's sword in weakest hands has forced him to depart. Thus far the Lord hath led us ; the waters have been high, But yet in passing through them, we felt that He was nigh. ** 110 ROCK OF AGES. A very present helper in troubles we have found. His comforts most abounded when our sorrows did abound. Thus far the Lord hath led us ; our need hath been supplied, And mercy has encompassed us about on every side, Still falls the daily manna, the pure rock-fountains flow, And many flowers of love and hope along the way- side grow. Thus far the Lord hath led us ; and will He now for- sake The feeble ones whom for His own it pleased Him to take ? O, never, never! earthly friends may cold and faithless prove, But His is changeless pity and everlasting love. Calmly we look behind us, on joys and sorrows past, We know that all is mercy now, and shall be well at last; Calmly we look before us, — we fear no future ill. — Enough for safety and for peace, if Thou art witb us still. ► «" * THE LORD ON THE WATERS. Ill Yes, "They that know Thy name, Lord, shall put their trust in Thee," While nothing in themselves but sin and helpless- ness they see. The race Thou hast appointed us, with patience we can run, Thou wilt perform unto the end, the work Thou hast begun. The Lord ox the Waters. HE sitteth o'er the waterfloods, And He is strong to save ; He sitteth o'er the waterfloods, And guides each drifting wave. Though loud around the vessel's prow The waves may toss and break, Yet at His word they sink to rest As on a tranquil lake. He sitteth o'er the waterfloods, When waves of sorrow rise ; And while He holds the bitter cup He wipes the tearful eyes. He knows how long the wilful heart Requires the chastening grief; And soon as sorrow's work is done, 'T is He who sends relief. 112 ROCK OF ACES. lie sitteth o'er the waterfloods, As in the days of old; When o'er the Saviour's sinless head The waves and billows rolled. Yes, all the billows passed o'er Him; Our sins — they bore Him down ; For us He met the crushing storm — He met th' Almighty's frown. He sitteth o'er the waterfloods; — Then doubt and fear no more, For He who passed through all the storms Has reached the heavenly shore. And every tempest-driven bark, With Jesus for its guide, Will soon be moored in harbor calm, In glory to abide. Prayer. HOW purely true, how deeply warm, The inly-breathed appeal may be, Though adoration wears no form, In upraised hand or bended knee ! One Spirit fills all boundless space, No limit to the when or where; And little recks the time or place That leads the sc ul to praise and prayer. *• w PRAYER. 113 Father above, Almighty One, Creator, is that worship vain That hails each mountain as Thy throne, And finds a universal fane? When shining stars, or spangled sod, Call forth devotion, who shall dare To blame, or tell me that a God Will never deign to hear such prayer? 0, prayer is good, when many pour Their voices in one solemn tone ; Conning their sacred lessons o'er, Or yielding "hanks for mercies shown. ' T is good to see the quiet train Forget their worldly joy and care, While loud response and choral strain Re-echo A n the house of prayer. But often have I stood to mark The setting sun and closing flower ; When silence and the gathering dark Shed holy calmness o'er the hour. Lone oa the hills, my soul confessed More rapt and burning homage there, And served the Maker it addressed With stronger zeal and closer prayer. When watching those we love and prize Till all of life and hope be fled ; 8 * t+ 114 ROCK OF AGES. When we have gazed on sightless eyes, And gently stayed the falling he:i«l ; Then what can sooth the stricken heart, What solace overcome despair; What earthly breathing can impart Such healing balm as lonely prayer? When fears and perils thicken fast, And many dangers gather round ; When human aid is vain and past, No mortal refuge to be found; Then can we firmly lean on Heaven, And gather strength to meet and bear ; No matter where the storm has driven, A saving anchor lives in prayer. O God ! how beautiful the thought, How merciful the blest decree, That Grace can e'er be found when sought, Aud nought shut out the soul from Thee. The cell may cramp, the fetters gall, The flame may scorch, the rack may tear, But torture-stake, or prison-wall, Can be endured with Faith aud Prayer. In desert wilds, in midnight gloom ; In grateful joy. in trying pain; In laughing youth, or nigh the tomb; O, when is prayer unheard or vain? *- THE LOT OF LIFE. 115 The Infinite, the King of kings, Will never heed the when or where He '11 ne'er reject the heart that brings The offering of fervent prayer. Emza Cook. The Lot of Life. 1KN0W not if the dark or bright Shall be my lot ; If that wherein my hopes delight Be best or not. It may be mine to drag for years Toil's heavy chain ; Or day and night my meat be tears, On bed of pain. Dear faces may surround my hearth With smiles and glee ; Or I may dwell alone, and mirth Be strange to me. My bark is wafted to the strand By breath divine, And on the helm there rests a Hand Other than mine. *- 1 1 G ROCK OF AG E8. One who lias known in storms to sail I have on board ; Above the raging of the gale I hear my Lord. He holds me when the billows smite; I shall not fall : If sharp, 't is short ; if long, 't is light; lie tempers all. Safe to the land, safe to the land : The end is this ; And then with Him go hand in hand Far into bliss. Dean Alvord. Tiie Blind Spinner. LIKE a blind spinner, in the sun, I tread my days; I know that all the threads will run Appointed ways ■ I know each day will mark its task, And, being blind, no more I ask. I do not know the use or name, Of that I spin, I only know that some one came And laid within *• * THE BLIND SPINNER. 117 My hand, the threads, and said, " Since you Are blind, but one thing you can do." Sometimes the threads so rough, and fast, And tangled fly, I know wild storms are sweeping past, And fear that I Shall fall, but dare not try to find A safer place, since I am blind. I know not why, but I am sure, That tints and place — In some great fabric to endure Past time and race — These threads will have, — so from the first, Though blind, I never felt accursed. 1 think, perhaps this trust has sprung From one short word, Said over me when I was young, - So young I heard It, knowing not that God designed And sealed me His, though I was blind. But whether there be seal or sign, Within, without, It matters not, the bond divine I never doubt ; ■* ►fi- lls ROCK OF AGES. I know He set me here, and still And glad, though blind, I wait Hifl will, — But listen, listen, day by day To hear the tread Of those who come to bear away The finished web, and cut the thread, And bring God's message, in the sun, "Rest, poor, blind spinner, work is done." Leave God to order all thy Ways. LEAVE God to order all thy ways, And hope in Him, whate'er betide; Thou 'It find Him in the evil days An all-sufficient strength and guide. Who trusts in God's unchanging love, Builds on the Rock that nought can move. What can these anxious cares avail — These never-ceasing raoaus and sighs ? What can it help us to bewail Each painful moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness. Only your restless heart keep still, And wait in cheerful hope, content LEAVE GOD TO ORDER ALL THY WA1 S. 119 To take whate'er His gracious will, His all-discerning love, has sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own ! He knows when joyful hours are best; He sends them as He sees it meet ; When thou hast borne its fiery test, And now art freed from all deceit, He comes to thee all unaware, And makes thee own His loving care. Nor, in the heat of pain and strife, Think God hath cast thee off unheard; Nor that the man whose prosperous life Thou enviest, is of Him preferred. Time passes, and much change doth bring, And sets a bound to everything. All are alike before His face : ' T is easy to our God most high To make the rich man poor and base, To give the poor man wealth and joy. True wonders still of Him are wrought, Who setteth up and brings to nought ! Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways, But do thine own part faithfully ; Trust His rich promises of grace, So shall it be fulfilled in thee : * 120 ROCK OF AGES. God never yet forsook at need The soul that trusted Him indeed ! George Nelmarr. Trust. I DO not doubt my safety — that Thy hand Will still uphold me, even to the last, And that my feet on Canaan's hill shall stand, When the long wilderness is overpast ; But often faith is weak, and hope is low; Forward, indeed, but faint and wearily I go. I do not doubt Thy love, my Lord and God, The love which suffered and which died for me, The love that sought me on the downward road, Unclasped the fetters, set the captive free! But mine seems now so languid, dull and cold — for the blissful hours which I have known of old! 1 do not doubt, unworthy though I be, Thy worthiness, my Saviour, is my own ! One of Thy many mansions is for me, In the good land where sorrow is unknown; But often clouds obscure the distant seen.'. And from the flood I shrink, which darkly rolls between. *- BE THOU CONTENT. 121 Lord ! at the evening time let there be light ; Unveil Thy presence, bid all darkness fly ; Surely, ere now, far spent must be the night, The morning comes, the journey's end is nigh; Renew my strength, what yet remains to run, Till glory crown the work which Grace has here begun. Be Thou Content. BE thou content ; be still before His face, at whose right hand doth reign Fullness of joy for evermore, Without whom all thy toil is vain. He is thy living spring, thy sun, whose rays Make glad with life and light thy dreary days. Be thou content. In Him is comfort, light, and grace, And changeless love beyond our thought ; The sorest pang, the worst disgrace, If He is there, shall harm thee not. He can lift off thy cross, and loose thy bands, And calm thy fears, nay, death is in His hands. Be thou content. Or art thou friendless and alone, Hast none in whom thou canst confide ? 122 ROCK OF AGES. God careth for thee, lonely one, Comfort and help will He provide. He sees thy sorrows, and thy hidden grief, He knoweth when to send thee quiek relief. Be thou content. The heart's outspoken pain He knows, Thy secret sighs He hears full well; What to none else thou dar'st disclose To Him thou may'st with boldness tell. He is not far away, but ever nigh, And answereth willingly the poor man's cry. Be thou content. Be not o'er-mastered by thy pain, But cling to God, thou shalt not fall ; The floods sweep over thee in vain. Thou yet shalt rise above them all ; For when thy trial seems too hard to bear, Lo! God, thy King, hath granted all thy prayer. Be thou content. Why art thou full of anxious fear, How thou shalt be sustained and fed ? He who hath made, and placed thee here Will give thee needful daily bread. Canst thou not trust His rich and bounteous hand, Who feeds all living things on sea and land? Be thou content. * w BE THOU CONTENT. 123 He who doth teach the little birds To find their meat in field and wood, Who gives the countless flocks and herds Each day their needful drink and food, Thy hunger too, will surely satisfy, And all thy wants in His good time supply. Be thou content. Say'st thou, I know not how or where, Nor help I see, where'er I turn; When of all else we most despair, The riches of God's love we learn. When thou and I His hand no longer trace, He leads us forth into a pleasant place. Be thou content. Though long His promised aid delay, At last it will be surely sent : Though thy heart sink in sore dismay, The trial for thy good is meant. What we have won with pains, we hold most fast, What tarrieth long, is sweeter at the last Be thou content. Lay not to heart whate'er of ill Thy foes may falsely speak of thee, Let man defame thee as he will, God hears, and judges righteously. 121 HOCK OF AGES. Why should'st thou fear, if God be on thy side, Man's cruel anger or malicious pride? Be thou content. We know for us a rest remains, When God will give as Bweet release From earth and all our mortal chains, And turn our sufferings into peace. Sooner or later death will sorely come To end our sorrows and to take us home. Be thou content. Lyra Germanic a He Doetii all Things Well. WHATE'ER my God ordains is right! His will is ever just; Howe'er He orders now my cause, I will be still and trust. He is my God, Though dark my road; He holds me that I shall not fall, Wherefore to Him I leave it all. Whate'er my God ordains is right! He never will deceive ; He leads me b} T the proper path, And so to Him I cleave, And take, content, What He hath sent ; — *- -* HE DOETH ALL THINGS WELL. 125 His hand can turn my griefs away, And patiently I wait His day. Whate'er my God ordains is right ! He taketh thought for me ; The cup that my Physician gives No poisoned draught can be, But medicine due; For God is true, And on that changeless truth I build, And all my heart with hope is filled. Whate'er my God ordains is right ! Though I the cup must drink, That bitter seems to my faint heart, I will not fear nor shrink ; Tears pass away With dawn of day ; Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, And pain and sorrow all depart. Whate'er my God ordains is right ! My Light, my Life is He, Who cannot will me aught but good, I trust Him utterly ; For well I know, In joy or woe, We soon shall see, as sunlight clear, How faithful was our Guardian here. 126 ROCK OF AGES. Whate'er ray God ordains is right! Here will I take my stand, Though sorrow, need, or death raake earth For me a desert land. My Father's care Is round me there ; He holds me that I shall not fall, And so to Him I leave it all. Lyra Germamca. Lead Me Aright. I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be A pleasant road ; I do not ask that thou would'st take from me Aught of its load. I do not ask that flowers should always spring Beneath my feet; I know too well the poison and the stiDg Of things too sweet. For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead : Lead me aright, — Though strength should falter and though heart should bleed, Through peace to light. THY WILL BE DONE. 127 I do not ask my cross to understand, My way to see ; Better in darkness just to feel thy hand, And follow Thee. Joy is like settled day ; but peace divine Like quiet night. Lead me, Lord, till perfect day shall shine Through peace to light. Hand of Jesus Thy Will be Done. LORD Jesus, as Thou wilt! O may Thy will be mine ! Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign. Through sorrow or through joy, Conduct me as Thine own, And help me still to say, My Lord, Thy will be done ! Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt ! If needy here and poor, Give me Thy people's bread, Their portion rich and sure. The manna of Thy word Let my soul feed upon ; And if all else should fail, — My Lord, Thy will be done ! «* *■ 1 28 ROCK OF A CES. Lord Jesus, as thou wilt I If among thorns I go, Still sometimes here and there Let a few roses blow. But Thou on earth along The thorny path hast irone; Then lead me alter Thee, — My Lord, Thy will be done ! Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt! Though seen through many a tear, Let not my star of hope Grow dim or disappear; Since Thou on earth hast wept And sorrowed oft alone, If I must weep with Thee, My Lord, Thy will be done ! Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt! If loved ones must depart, Suffer not sorrow's Hood To overwhelm my heart • For they are blest with Thee, Their race and conflict won, Let me but follow them, — My Lord. Thy will be done! Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt I When death itself draws nigh, LOOKING UNTO JESUS. 129 To Thy dear, wounded side I would for refuge fly. Leaning on Thee, to go Where Thou before hast gone I The rest as Thou shalt please, — My Lord, Thy will be done ! Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt ! All shall be well for me, Each changing future scene I gladly trust with Thee. Straight to my home above I travel calmly on, And sing in life or death, — My Lord, Thy will be done I B. SCHMOLK. "Looking unto Jesus." THOU, Lord, my path shalt choose, And my Guide bel What shall I fear to lose While I have Thee ? This be my portion blest, On my Redeemer's breast, In peaceful trust to rest : He cares for me 1 o 4*- 130 IiOCK OF AGES. Shall, I then, choose my way? Never, O no! I — creature of a day, What can I know? What dread perplexity, Then would encompass me; Now I can look to Thee, Thou orderest so ! This lightens every cross, Cheers every ill ; Suffer I grief or loss, — It is Thy will ! Who can make no mistake, Chooseth the way I take ; He who can ne'er forsake, Holds my hand still ! Sweet words of peace and love Christ whispers me I Bearing my soul above Life's troubled sea I This be my portion blest, On my Redeemer's breast In peaceful trust to rest ! He cares for me ! Christ died my love to win, Christ is ray tower ! JESUS, THOU SON OF GOD. 131 He will be with me in Each trying hour ! He makes the wounded whole, He will my heart console, He will uphold my soul By His own power ! To Thee, the only Wise, Whatever be, I will lift up mine eyes, Joyful in Thee ! This be my portion blest, On my Redeemer's breast In peaceful trust to rest : He cares for me ! Jesus, Thou Son of God. AMID the shadows and the fears That overcloud this home of tears, Amid my poverty and sin, The tempest and the war within, I cast my soul on Thee, Mighty to save e'en me, 4 Jesus, thou Son of God. Drifting across a sunless sea, Cold, heavy mists encurtaining me, — 132 ROCK OF AGES. Toiling along life's broken road, With snares around and foes abroad, — I cast my soul on Thee, Might)' to save e'en me, Je-us, thou Son of God. Mine is a day of fear and strife, A needy soul, a needy life, A needy world, a needy age; Yet, In my perilous pilgrimage, I cast myself on Thee, Mighty to save e'en me, Jesus, thou Son of God. To Thee I come : ah, only Thou Canst wipe the sweat from ofl' this brow; Thou, only Thou, canst make me whole, And soothe the fever of my soul. I cast my soul on Thee, Mighty to save e'en me, Jesus, thou Sou of God. On Thee I rest : Thy love and grace Are my sole rock and resting-place; In Thee my thirst and hunger sore, Lord, let me quench forevermore. I cast my soul on Thee, Mighty to save e'en me, Jesus, thou Son of God. ► « T AL WA TS Itf LOVE. 1 33 ' T is earth, not heaven ; ' t is night, not moon , The sorrowless is coming soon ; But, till the morn of love appears, Which ends the travail and the tears, I cast my soul on Thee, Mighty to save e'en me, Jesus, thou Son of God. Always in Love. WE cannot always trace the way, Where Thou, our gracious Lord, dost move, But we can always surely say, That Thou art love. Thou, blessed Son of God, Hast bought me with Thy blood, Jesus my Lord ! 0, how great is Thy love, All other loves above, Love that I daily prove, Jesus my Lord ! When unto Thee I flee, Thou wilt my refuge be, Jesus my Lord ! What need I now to fear, What earthly grief or care, Since Thou art ever near ? Jesus my Lord ! •* 134 ROCK OF AGES. Soon Thou wilt come again ! I shall be happy then, Jesus ray Lord ! Then Thine own face I '11 see, Then I shall like Thee be, Then evermore with Thee, Jesus my Lord ! Not as I will, but as Thou wilt. I WORSHIP thee, sweet Will of God! And all Thy ways adore, And every day I live I seem To love Thee more and more. Thou wert the end, the blessed rule Of Jesus' toils and tears ; Thou wert the passion of His Heart Those three-aud-thirty years. I love to kiss each print where Thou Hast set Thine unseen feet: I cannot fear the blessed Will, — Thiue empire is so sweet. When obstacles and trials seem Like prison- walls to be. - NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT. 135 I do the little that I can, And leave the rest to Thee. I have no cares, blessed Will ! For all my cares are Thine ; I live in triumph, Lord ! for Thou Hast made Thy triumphs mine. Ride on, ride on triumphantly, Thou glorious Will ! ride on ; Faith's pilgrim sons behind thee take The road that Thou hast gone. He always wins who rides with God, To him no chance is lost; God's will is sweetest to him when It triumphs at his cost. Ill that He blesses is our good, And noblest good is ill ; And all is right that seems most wrong, If it be His sweet Will ! Faber. 136 ROCK OF AGES. "My Strength and my Heart faileth. IN weakness at Thy feet I lie, Thine eye each pang hath seen, Scarce can I lift my heart on high, Yet, Lord, on Thee I lean, — Lean on Thy sure, unfailing word, Thy gentle " It is I," For Thou, my ever-living Lord, Know'st what it is to die. Thou wilt be with me when I go ; — Thy life my life in death ; For, in the lowest depths, I know Thine arms are underneath. *T is not the infant's feeble grasp Which holds the mother fast ; It is the mother's gentle clasp Around her darling cast. Just so Thy child would cling to Thee, Knowing Thy pity long : For feeble as my faith may be The hand I clasp is strong. * JUST AS I AM. 137 Come to Christ. COME, bowed with grief and sick of sin, The cross was stained for thee ; Come weary, rest and peace to find, Come blind, and thou shalt see. Come boldly, guilty as thou art, God will not spurn thy prayer; Come, cast thy burdens at His feet, And leave thy sorrows there. Come as thou art ; no deeds of thine Can take thy sins away ; Thy troubled soul before the cross, Loving and trusting, lay. Come, freely come, nor longer choose On restless wing to roam ; Enter at once the friendly ark, And find a welcome home. S. F. Smith Just as I Am. 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 ! •* 138 ROCK OF AGES. Just as I am, — and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood ean cleanse; each spot, 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, — Lamb of God, I come ! Just as I am, — Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, — Because Thy promise I believe, Lamb of God, I come 1 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 ! C. Elliot. *■ *.9 JUST A S THO U ART. 139 Just As Thou Art. JUST as thou art, without one trace Of love, or joy, or inward grace, Or meetness for the heavenly place, — guilty sinner, come ! Thy sins I bore on Calvary's tree ; The stripes thy due were laid on Me, That peace and pardon might be free, — O wretched sinner, come 1 Burdened with guilt, would'st thou be blest ? Trust not the world ; it gives no rest ; I bring relief to hearts opprest, — O weary sinner, come ! Come, leave thy burden at the cross ; Count all thy gains but empty dross ; My grace repays all earthly loss, — O needy sinner, come ! Come, hither bring thy boding fears, Thy aching heart, thy bursting tears : 'T is mercy's voice salutes thine ears ; O trembling sinner, come ! " The Spirit and the Bride say, * Come '; " Rejoicing saints re-echo, ' Come ' ; Who faints, who thirsts, who will, may come ; Thy Saviour bids thee come. R- S. Cook. 140 ROCK OF AGES. Even Me. LORD, I hear of showers of blessing Thou art scattering full and free, Showers the thirsty land refreshing; Let some droppings fall on me, — Even me. Pass me not, God my Father, Sinful though my heart may be ; Thou might'st leave me, but the rather Let Thy mercy light on me, — Even me. Pass me not, O gracious Saviour; Let me live and cling to Thee ; Fain I 'in longing for Thy favor; While Thou *rt calling, calling me, — Even me. Pass me not, O mighty Spirit ; Thou can'st make the blind to see ; YVituesser of Jesus' merit, Speak the word of power to me, — Even me. Have I long in sin been sleeping — Long been slighting, grieving Thee? * ■* FAITH. 141 Has the world my heart been keeping? O, forgive, and rescue me ! — Even me. Love of God, so pure and changeless !> Blood of Christ, so rich and free ! Grace of God, so strong and boundless ! — Magnify it all in me, — Even me. Pass me not — Thy lost one bringing, Bind my heart, O Lord, to Thee ; Whilst the streams of life are springing, Blessing others, O, bless me ! — Even me. Faith. FAITH is the dawning of day Where darkness was before, The rising of a solar ray To set in night no more. Faith lights an eye within the soul From earth to heaven that turns, And there, where wheels of glory roll, Admires, adores, and burns. * 142 ROCK OF AGES. Faith plants an ear that hears the hymn Of everlasting praise, Which sainted souls and seraphim In Alleluias raise. Faith yields a sense of life and love, Upborne on wings of prayer, Swift as an eagle or a dove That cleaves the liquid air. Faith gives a hand that holds the heart Within the mystic veil, Fast by that Friend who will not part From those who will not fail. Faith feeds that fire whose holy flame Illumiuates my road, With all the glories of His name, Who deigns to be my God. Faith fans each phasis of the fight Which sin and self destroys — Christ changing weakness into might, And sorrows into joys. Faith leads me onward to the cross, And through it to a crown, When purified from all the dress That weighs the spirit down. * + < FAITH. 143 Faith lifts the glass which shows so well, In lines of weal and woe, Those twofold worlds of heaven and hell, Above me, and below. Faith is the substance of my hope, The evidence of things Where angels fathom not the scope, But shade it with their wings. Faith is the prop on which we lean In darkness or distress, Far oftener felt and known, than seen Throughout this wilderness. Faith opens amidst wastes of sand A fountain fresh and fair, Whose waters, rising at command, Annihilate despair. Faith is a compass never wrong Nor swerving from its pole ; It cheers the weak, directs the strong, And gladdens every soul. Faith is the charm that keeps our fight From wandering by the way ; It studs with stars the brow of Night. Or turns it into day. 144 ROCK OF AGES. Faitli is the talisman of power No force can ever break, No beasts Of prey can e'er devour, No sorcery ever shake. Faith is the gem without a flaw Derived alone from God, The Ransom of His broken law. Bought with and bathed with blood. Faith is the Iris arching heaven, Though gathering clouds are rouud, The token glad of guilt forgiven, Of bondage thus unbound. Faith takes her balances of gold, And weighs with skill sublime Eternal happiness untold, Against the dream of time. Lord, increase this grace in me That with each fleeting breath, 1 more and more may know of Thee And hail the hand of death. So Faith shall in fruition end And grace in glory cease, Where Praise her powers can never spend, Nor aught disturb this peace. w NEARER TO GOD. 145 Nearer to God. NEARER, my God, to Thee, - Nearer to Thee ! E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me ; Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee ! Though like a wanderer, The sun gone down, Darkness comes over me, My rest a stone, Yet in my dreams I 'd be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee ! There let my way appear Steps unto heaven ; All that Thou sendest me In mercy given ; Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee I Then with my waking thoughts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I '11 raise ; 10 •* ► *- 146 ROCK OF AGES. So by my woes to be Nearer, ray God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee ! And when on joyful wing Cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Upward I fly ; Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee ! Sarah F. Adams. Closer to Thee. CLOSER to Thee, Saviour, I follow on, Guided by Thee, Seeing not yet the Hand That leadeth me. Hushed be my heart, and still ; Fear I no further ill ; Only to meet Thy will My will shall be. Riven the rock for me, Thirst to relieve ; Manna from heaven falls Fresh every eve ; GETHSEMANE. \ \ 7 Never a want severe Causeth my eye a tear, But Thou dost whisper near, " Only believe ! " Often to Marah's brink Have I been brought ; Shrinking the cup to drink, Help I have sought ; And, with the prayer's ascent, Jesus the branch hath rent, Quickly relief hath sent, Sweetening the draught. Saviour, I long to walk Closer with Thee ; Led by Thy guiding hand Ever to be ; Constantly near Thy side, Quickened and purified, Living for Him who died Freely for me. Gethsemane. THE night is dark — behold, the shade was deeper, In the still garden of Gethsemane, When the calm voice awoke the weary sleeper, " Could'st thou not watch an hour alone with Me ? ' 148 ROCK OF AGES. thou, so weary of thy self-denials, And so impatient of thy little cross, Is it so hard to bear thy daily trials — To count all earthly things a gainful loss? What if thou always sufferest tribulation? What if thy Christian warfare never cease? The gaining of the quiet habitation Shall gather thee to everlasting peace. Here are we all to suffer, walking lonely The path that Jesus ouce Himself hath gone ; Watch thou this hour in trustful patience only, This one dark hour before the eternal dawn. And He will come in His own time from heaven, To set His earnest-hearted children free; Watch only through this dark and painful even, yet will break for thee. " I Thirst." J THIRST, the blessed Saviour said, Ere on the cross He bowed His head, And gave Himself to God. The vinegar was pressed in vain, And the full cup of woe and pain Now blushed with His own blood. * " I THIRST" 149 Hail, holy chalice, let my soul Bathe in thy depths without control, Filled from the heavenly vine ; Let every thought be fixed on Thee, Thine overwhelming agony, Until Thy love be mine. I thirst, that bitterness to share Which Christ would deign for me to bear, The wormwood and the gall, The pointing finger aud the leer, The wagging head, the loathsome sneer, And the reproach of all. I thirst, for what my Lord can give, That life which He would have me live Devoted to His will ; Through cloud or sunshine, calm or storm, In scenes of every shade or form, Obedient to Him still. I thirst, to have a soul within Divided from the smallest sin In word, or deed, or mind, A heart to soar on sacred wings Above all sublunary things, And leave the world behind. I thirst, to taste that precious stream Which only can my guilt redeem, •* * 150 ROCK OF AGES. And wash me white as snow ; Poured from that side, those hands and feet, Whence fountains of salvation sweet, In ceaseless mercy flow. I thirst, to see that glorious brow, Once pierced with thorns for me, but now Crowned as with many crowns; Where the perpetual hymn of praise Rises above all other lays, All other music drowns. I thirst, to have His mercy known From shore to shore, from zone to zone, His tears and tenderness ; Until the universe shall sigh That its dear Lord should ever die, Although that death we bless. I thirst, to hail the countless throng Of those who to that world belong, Where pain afflicts no more ; Where every tear is wiped away. And through a cloudless, uightless day All saints the Lamb adore. M. Bridges. *- * SACRAMENTAL HYMN. 151 Sacramental Hymn. HERE, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face ; Here would I touch and handle things unseen Here grasp with firmer hand th' eternal grace, And all my weariness upon Thee lean. Here would I feed upon the bread of God ; Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heaven ; Here would I lay aside each earthly load, Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven. I have no help but Thine ; nor do I need Another arm save Thine to lean upon ; It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed ; My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone. 1 have no wisdom save in Him, who is My wisdom and my teacher both in one ; No wisdom can I lack while Thou art wise, No teaching do I crave, save Thine alone. Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness ; Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood. This is my robe, my refuge, and my peace — Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God. Too soon we rise ; the symbols disappear ; The feast, but not the love, is passed and gone ; * 152 ROCK OF AGES. The bread and wine remove, but Thou art here Nearer than ever — still my shield and sun. Feast after feast thus comes and passes by ; Yet passing, points to the great feast above ; Giving sweet foretastes of the festal joy, The Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love. Bonak. The Loving Crp. COME, drink ye, drink ye all, of it, Pale children of a King, No poi>on mingles in the draught, So while ye suffer, sing. 'T is Love's own Life hath won it us, Christ's lip hath pressed the brim — Come, drink ye, drink ye, all, of it, In fellowship with Him! shun not thou the Loving Cup, Nor tremble at its hue ; There is no bitter in the bowl, But Jesus drank it, too. He counts thy tears, and knows thy pain, Yea, every woe is weighed ; And not a cross He bids thee bear, But once on Him was laid. *- THE L VING CUP. 153 Come, drink thou of the Loving Cup ! Thou wouldst not pass it by ? 'T is kept for every chosen one Of God's dear family : Nor, unbelieving, turn aside : The Lord the cup bestows ; And 0, His face, about thee bent, With love and pity glows ! Those hands, once bleeding on the Cross, Are now outstretched to bless ; He draws thee closer to His heart For that draught's bitterness ; He hears thy faintly sobbing breath, He marks each quivering limb; He drank a cup for thee alone — Child ! drink it now with Him. Let earth bring forth her bitter herbs, Soon all their power shall cease ; Come tribulation, if it will, With Christ's abiding Peace. I take the cup — the Loving Cup, Thrice blessed shall it be ; I would not miss one gift, O Lord, Thy Blood hath bought for me ! Anna Shipton. 154 ROCK OF AGES. Go, Worship at Immaxcel's Feet. GO, worship at Imraauuel's feet; See in His face what wonders meet; Earth is too narrow to express His worth, His glory, or His grace ! The whole creation can afford But some faint shadows of ray Lord; Nature, to make His beauties known, Must mingle colors not her own. Is He compared to Wine or Bread? Dear Lord, our souls would thus be fed : That Flesh, that dying Blood of Thine, Is Bread of Life, is heavenly Wine. Is He a Tree ? The world receives Salvation from His healing leaves; That righteous Branch, that fruitful Bough, Is David's root, and offspring too. Is He a Rose? Not Sharon yields Such fragrancy in all her fields ; Or if the Lily He assume, The valleys bless the rich perfume. Is He a Vine ? His heavenly root Supplies the boughs with life and fruit ; let a lasting union join My soul, the branch, to Christ, the Vine ! GO, WORSHIP AT [MMANUEVS FEET. 155 Is He the Head? Each member lives, And owns the vital power He gives ; The saints below and saints above Joined by His Spirit and His love. Is He a Fountain ? There I bathe, And heal the plague of sin and death ; These waters all my soul renew, And cleanse my spotted garments too. Is He a Fire ? He '11 purge my dross ; But the true gold sustains no loss ; Like a Refiner shall He sit, And tread the refuse with His feet. Is He a Rock? How firm he proves ! The Rock of Ages never moves ; Yet the sweet streams, that from Him flow, Attend us all the desert through. Is He a Way ? He leads to God ; The path is drawn in lines of blood ; There would I walk with zealous will, Till I arrive at Zion's hill. Is He a Door? I'll enter in; Behold the pastures large and green! A paradise divinely fair ; None but the sheep have freedom there. * 156 ROCK OF AGES. Is He designed a Corner Stone, For men to build their heaven upon? I '11 make Him ray Foundation too; Nor fear the plots of Hell below. Is He a Temple? I adore The Indwelling majesty and power; And still to His Most Holy Place, Whene'er I pray I turn my face. Is He a Star? He breaks the night, Piercing the shades with dawning light; I know His glories from afar, I know tho bright, the Morning Star ! Is He a Sun? His beams are grace, His course a joy and Righteousness: Nations rejoice when He appears To chase their clouds and dry their tears. O, let me climb those higher skies "Where storms and darkness never rise ! There He displays His power abroad. And shines and reigns th' Incarnate God. Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars, Nor heaven, His full resemblance bears ; His beauties we can never trace, Till we behold Him face to face. Isaac Watts. (1709. * *- approach, to communion: 157 Approach to Communion. LORD, to thine altar we draw near; O, fence us round with holy fear, And o'er our trembling spirits shed The feeling of Thy presence dread ; "We bow the head, we bend the knee Before Thine awful Majesty, Beseeching Thee with favoring eyes To look upon our sacrifice. Our conflict, Lord, Thou know'st it all ; The thousand foes which fast enthrall Our captive souls, that would be free From every taint, to worship Thee ; The vain desire, the wandering thought, With worlclliness and folly fraught, The earthly joy, the earthly care, That haunts us in the house of prayer, — The doubts, the questionings of mind That will perforce an entrance find, Seeking to rob us of the prize That faith would meekly realize ; The accuser's ceaseless voice within Whispering of unforgiven sin, To make the wounded soul retreat In terror from Thy Mercy Seat. 158 ROCK OF AGES. The world, the flesh, and Satan's rage, Our threefold foes, Thou can's t assuage. Who by Thine own almighty power Did'st quell them in their fiercest hour : 0, let Thy new and risen life Within our souls subdue the strife, — And help us, Lord, that we may see Thy presence here, and worship Thee. Resting Wholly on Christ. 1LAY my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God ; He bears them all, and frees us From the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus, To wash my crimson stains White, in His blood most precious, Till not a spot remains. I lay my wants on Jesus ; All fulness dwells in Him : He heals all my diseases, He doth my soul redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus, My burdens and my cares ; He from them all releases, He all my sorrow shares. *■ * THE BLESSED CROSS. 159 I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine ; His right hand me embraces, I on His breast recline. I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured. I long to be like Jesus, Meek, loving, lowly, mild • I long to be like Jesus, The Father's holy child. I long to be with Jesus Amid the heavenly throng, To sing with saints His praises, To learn the angels' song. H. Bonar. The Blessed Cross. THE blessed cross shines now to us, where once the Saviour bled, Love made Him victim there for us, and there His blood was shed. And with His wounds our wounds He healed, and washed our sins away, And rescued from the raging wolf the lost and help- less prey. «* »4 1G0 .BOCA' OF AGES. There with transfixed palms He hung, and saved the world from losv : Aud closed the bitter way of death by dying on the cross. Those hands were pierced with cruel nails, fixed till His dying breath, — The hands that rescued Paul from crime, and Peter once from death. O rich and fruitful branches! O sweet and noble tree! What new aud precious fruit hangs for the world on Thee, — Whose fragrance breathes the breath of life into the sileut dead, Gives life to those from whom, long since, earth's pleasant light had fled. No summer hea-. has power to scorch who in Thy shadow rest ; No moonlight chill can harm at night, no burning noon molest. Planted beside the water-flood, unshaken is Thy root ; Thy branch shall never fade, and in all seasons be Thy fruit. CBRIS T E VER NEAR. 1 6 1 For round Thine arms entwined is the true and living vine, And from that blood-stained stem distils the new and heavenly wine. Venantrusus Fortunatus. Christ Ever Near. OLOVE Divine ! that stooped to share Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, On Thee we cast each earth-born care, We smile at pain while Thou art near. Though long the weary way we tread, And sorrow crown each lingering year, No path we shun, no darkness dread, Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near. When drooping pleasure turns to grief, And trembling faith is changed to fear, The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf, Shall softly tell us, Thou art near. On Thee we fling our burdening woe, Love Divine, forever dear; Content to suffer while we know, Living or dying, Thou art near. 11 O. W Holmes *:+ 1G2 ROCK OF AGES. He Bids Us Come. HE bids us come; His voice we know, And boldly on the waters go To Him, our Christ and Lord. We walk on Life's tempestuous sea, For He who died to set us free Hath called us by His word. Secure from troubled waves we tread, Nor all the storms around us heed, While to our Lord we look. O'er every fierce temptation bound ; The billows yield a solid ground, The wave is firm as rock. But if from Him we turn our eye, And see the raging floods run high, And feel our fears within, Our foes so strong, our flesh so frail, Reason and unbelief prevail, And sink us into sin. Lord, we our unbelief confess, Our little spark of faith increase, That we may doubt no more, But fix on Thee our steady eye, And on Thine outstretched arm rely, Till all the storm is o'er. * THE CROSS. 163 The Cross. 1SAW the cross of Jesus When burdened with my sin ; I sought the cross of Jesus To give me peace within : I brought my sin to Jesus ; He cleansed it in His blood ; And in the cross of Jesus I found my peace with God. I love the cross of Jesus, It tells me what I am ; A vile and guilty creature, Saved only through the Lamb. No righteousness, no merit, No beauty can I plead ; Yet in the cross I glory, My title there I read. I clasp the cross of Jesus In ev'ry trying hour, My sure and certain refuge, My never-failing tower. In every fear and conflict, I more than conqueror am ; Living I 'm safe, or dying, Through Christ, the risen Lamb. ■* •5 + 104 ROCK OF AGES. Sweet is the cross of Je>us I There let my wear}' heart Still rest in perfect peace Till life itself depart. And then in strains of glory I '11 sing Thy wondrous power. Where sin can never enter, And death is known no more. F. "WniTraxD. Abide m Him. CLING to the Crucified ! His death is life to Thee, - Life for eternity ; His wounds thy pardon seal, His stripes thy bruises heal, His cross proclaims thy peace, Bids every sorrow cease ; His blood is all to thee, It purges thee from sin ; It sets thy spirit free, It keeps thy conscience clean : Cling to the Crucified I Cling to the Crucified! His is a heart of love, Full as the hearts above; *■ * THE ROCK OF AGES. 1 65 Its depths of sympathy- Are all awake for thee ; His countenance is light Even to the darkest night ; That love shall never change — That light shall ne'er grow dim ; Charge thou thy faithless heart To find it all in Him : Cling to the Crucified ! The Rock of Ages. OROCK of Ages ! since on Thee By grace my feet are planted, ' T is mine, in tranquil faith, to see The rising storm, undaunted ; When angry billows round me rave, And tempests fierce assail me, To Thee I cling, the terrors brave, For Thou canst never fail me ; Though rends the globe with earthquake shock, Unmoved Thou stand'st, Eternal Rock ! Within Thy clefts I love to hide, When darkness o'er me closes ; There peace and light serene abide, And my still heart reposes ; 1GC B0CK0FAGE8. My soul exults to dwell secure, Thy strong muuitions round her; She dares to count her triumph sure, Nor fears lest hell confound her; Though tumults startle earth and sea, Thou, changeless Rock, they shake not Thee! From Thee, O Rock, once smitten, flow Life-giving streams forever; And whoso doth their sweetness know He thenceforth thirsteth never. My lips have touched the crystal tide, And feel no more returning The fever that so long I tried To cool, yet felt still burning; Ah, wondrous Well-Spring! brimming o'er With living waters evermore. On that dread day when they that sleep Shall hear the trumpet sounding, And wake to praise t>r wake to weep, The judgment throne surrounding; When, wrapped in all-devouring flame, The solid globe is wasting, And what at first from nothing came Is back to nothing hasting ; Even then my soul shall calmly rest, O Rock of Ages ! on Thy breast. Ray Falmt k *■ REST. 167 Rest. 1REST with Thee, Lord ! whither should I go? I feel so blest within Thy home of love ! The blessings purchased by Thy pain and woe, To Thy poor child Thou sendest from above ; O, never let Thy grace depart from me ; So shall I still abide, my Lord, with Thee. I rest with Thee ! Eternal life the prize Thou wilt bestow, when faith's good fight is won ; What can earth give but vain regrets and sighs, To the poor heart whose passing bliss is done ? For lasting joys I fleeting ones resign, Since Jesus calls me His, and He is mine. I rest with Thee ! no other place of rest Can now attract, no other portion please, The soul, of heavenly treasure once possessed, All earthly glory with indifference sees; Poor world, farewell ! thy splendors tempt no more — The power of Grace I feel, and thine is o'er. I rest with Thee ! with Thee, whose wondrous love Descends to seek the lost, the fallen to raise, O that my whole of future life might prove One hallelujah, one glad song of praise ! So shall I sing, as time's last moments flee, Now and forever, Lord, I rest with Thee. 1G8 ROCK OF AGES. God a Hiding-place. rpHOU art my hiding-place, Lord* J- In Thee I put my trust, Encouraged by Thy holy word, A feeble child of dust : — I have no argument beside, I urge uo other plea, Aud 't is enough my Saviour died, — My Saviour died for me ! When storms of fierce temptation beat, And furious foes assail, My refuge is the mercy-seat, My hope within the veil. From strife of tongues, and bitter words, My spirit flies to Thee ; Joy to my heart the thought affords, My Saviour died for me ! 'Mid trials heavy to be borne, When mortal strength is vain, — A heart with grief and anguish torn — A bod}' racked with pain, — Ah ! what could give the sufferer rest. Bid every murmur flee, But this, the witness in my breast, My Saviour died for me ! # GOD KNOWS IT ALL. 169 And when Thine awful voice commands This body to decay, And life, in its last lingering sands, Is ebbing fast away, — Then, though it be in accents weak, And faint and tremblingly, give me strength in death to speak, " My Saviour died for me ! " God Knows it All. IN the dim recess of thy spirit's chamber Is there some hidden grief thou may'st not tell ? Let not thy heart forsake thee, but remember His pitying eye, who sees and knows it well, — God knows it all ! And art thou tossed on billows of temptation, And wouldst do good, but evil still prevails ? think, amid the waves of tribulation, When earthly hope, when earthly refuge fails, God knows it all. And dost thou sin ! thy deed of shame concealing, In some dark spot no human eye can see — Then walk in pride, without one sign revealing The deep remorses that disquiet thee ? God knows it all ! 170 ROCK OF AGES. Art thou oppressed, and poor, and heavy-hearted, The heavens above thee in thick clouds arrayed; And well-nigh crushed, no earthly strength imparted. No friendly voice to say " Be not afraid?" God knows it all! Art thou a mourner? Are thy tear-drops flowing For one so early lost to earth and thee? The depth of grief no human spirit knowing; Which moans in secret like the moaning sea — God knows it all ! Dost thou look back upon a life of sinning? Forward, and tremble for thy future lot? There 's One who sees the end, from the beginning; Thy tear of penitence is un forgot. God knows it all. Then go to God ! Pour out your hearts before Him, There is no grief your Father cannot feel, — And let your grateful songs of praise adore Him — To save, forgive, and every wound to heal ! God knows it all. Axon. '* Cling to the Mighty One." CLING to the mighty One, Cliug in thy grief; Cling to the Holy One — He gives relief; *■ GOD OVER ALL. 171 Cling to the Gracious One, Cling in thy pain ; Cling to the Faithful One — He will sustain. Cling to the Living One, Cling in thy woe ; Cling to the Loving One Through all below ; Cling to the Pardoning One — He speaketh peace ; Cling to the Healing One — Anguish shall cease. Cling to the Bleeding One, Cling to His side ; Cling to the Risen One — In Him abide ; Cling to the Coming One — Hope shall arise ; Cling to the Reigning One — Joy lights thine eyes. God over All. JEHOVAH reigns ; He dwells in light, Arrayed with majesty and might; The world, created by His hands, Still on its firm foundation stands. ■* 172 ROCK OF AGES. But ere this spacious world was made Or had its first foundation laid, His throne eternal ages stood, Himself the ever-living God. Like floods the angry nations rise, And aim their rage against the skies; Vain floods, that aim their rage so high; At His rebuke, the billows die. Forever shall His throne endure ; His promise stands forever sure ; And everlasting holiness Watts. God our All. HOW firm the saint's foundation stands His hopes can ne'er remove, Sustained by God's almighty hand, And sheltered in His love. God is the treasure of his soul, A source of sacred joy, Which no afflictions can control, Nor death itself destroy. *- A SHIELD AND HIDING-PLACE. 173 Lord, may we feel Thy cheering beams, And taste Thy saints' repose ; We will not mourn the perished streams, While such a fountain flows. Doddridge. A Shield and Hiding-place. HE who on earth as man was known, And bore our sins and pains, Now, seated on th' eternal throne, The God of glory reigns. His hands the wheels of Nature guide With an unerring skill ; And countless worlds, extended wide, Obey His sovereign will. While harps unnumbered sound His praise, In yonder world above, His saints on earth admire His ways, And glory in His love. His righteousness, to faith revealed, Wrought out for guilty worms, Affords a hiding-place and shield From enemies and storms. *■ 1 74: ROCK OF AGES. This land, through which His pilgrims go, Is desolate and dry. But streams of grace from Him o'erflow, Their thirst to satisfy. When troubles, like a burning sun, Beat heavy on their head, To this Almighty Rock they run, And find a pleasing shade. How glorious He ! how happy they In such a glorious Friend ! Whose love secures them all the way, And crowns them at the end. Ligiit in Darkness. HOW weary and how worthless this life at times appears ; What days of heavy musings, what hours of bitter tears. How dark the storm-clouds gather along the win- try skies! How desolate and cheerless the path before is lies! And yet these days of dreariness are sent us from above ; + « LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 1 75 They do not come in anger, but in faithfulness and love; They come to teach U3 lessons which bright ones could not yield And to leave us blest and thankful when their pur- pose is fulfilled. They come to draw us nearer to our Father and our Lord, More earnestly to seek His face, to listen to His word, And to feel, if now around us a desert land we see, Without the star of promise, what would its dark- ness be? They come to lay us lowly and humbled in the dust, All self-deception swept away, all creature hope and trust, Our helplessness, our vileness, our guiltiness to own, And flee, for hope and refuge, to Christ, and Christ alone. They come to break the fetters which here confine us fast, And force our long reluctant hearts to rise to Heaven at last, And brighten every prospect of that eternal home, Where grief and disappointment and fears can never come. 176 ROCK OF AQES. Then turn not in despondence, poor, weary heart, away, Bat meekly journey onward, through the dark and cloudy day ; Even now the bow of promise is above thee painted bright, And soon a joyful morning shall dissipate the night. Thy God hath not forgot thee, and, when He sees it best, Will lead thee into sunshine, will give thee bowers of rest; And all thy pain and sorrow, when the pilgrimage is o'er, Shall end in heavenly blessedness and joys for- evermore. Anon. My Hand in Christ's. 4 II I Y hand in Christ's!" He leadeth where He i-'l lists, Through flowery fields, or 'neath a starry sky ; My faith is strong; 1L> '11 bring me safely through The ills of life, till I am called to die. "My hand in Christ's!" I care not how death comes, * WE A RIXESS AXD RES T. 177 Whether by pestilence or in the fight ; I shall be safe beneath His gentle care, Should the sun smite by day or moon by night. "My hand in Christ's!" who bore up Calvary'- height The cross, and gave His precious life up there To save a wretch like me ! Can I e'er doubt, Or give myself a victim to despair ? No; let me cling the closer to His side, And with a child's devotion hold Him fast. " My hand in His ! " I '11 safely pass along ; Though storms may howl, my home I '11 gain at last. " My hand in Christ's ! " e'en down to death's cold flood He '11 bear me conqueror through the dying strife ; And safe with those who 've only gone before, I shall have entered on that higher life. Weariness and Rest. SAVIOUR, I come to Thee, A weary child, with pain and care oppressed ; O let me lean this aching, burdened heart Upon Thy loving brea?st ! 12 4 *- J 78 ROCK OF AGES. The way is very dark; I cannot see it, Lord, through these my fears : Take Thou ray hand, and draw me up to Thee, Through all the lonely years. I have no strength, dear Lord; O let me lie where I can touch Thy feet, And gaze up from the dust into Thine eyes, That are so true and sweet. And come, O come to me ! And raise me to Thine arms, and teach me there The strange, deep secrets of Thy love, and bend To listen to my prayer. Speak to me soft and low : My spirit yeorneth for one little word To cheer the still, sad silence of my life — One word from Thee, my Lord. Speak to me, O my God : There are sweet voices falling on my ear. Long known, long loved ; but in my inmost soul Their tones I cannot hear. But Thou wilt speak to me ; And, as the river falls into the sea. And sinks to sleep, so this my wearied heart Shall flLd its rest in Thee. -* / AM THE WA Y, ETC. 1 79 "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.' HPHOU art the Way ! and lie who sighs, J- Amid this starless waste of woe, To And a pathway to the skies, A light from Heaven's eternal glow, By Thee must come, Thou gate of love ! Through which the saints undoubting trod, Till faith discovers, like the clove, An ark, a resting-place in God ! Thou art the Truth ! whose steady day Shines on through earthly blight and bloom ; The pure, the everlasting Ray, The Lamp that shines e'en in the tomb ! The Light that out of darkness springs, And guideth those that blindly go ; The Word, whose precious radiance flings Its lustre upon all below. Thou art the Life ! the blessed Well With living waters gushing o'er, Which those who drink shall ever dwell Where sin and thirst are known no more ; Thou art the mystic Pillar given — Our Lamp by night, our Light by day ; Thou art the sacred Bread from heaven — Thou art the Life, the Truth, the Way ! Anon. 180 ROCK OF AGES. "It is I; Be not Afraid." " HE not afraid; 'tis I" JLJ Who walk the mighty deep- Who bid the storm pass by, Or rock the waves to sleep : Though mountain billows swell, And thunders shake the sky, A breath of mine can quell — <; Be not afraid ; 't is I." "Be not afraid; 'tis I:" But have ye aught to fear? Can danger e'er be nigh, And God, too, not be near ' " O ye of little faith," Who raise the feeble cry To Him who ever saith — "Be not afraid; 'tis I." Q. Bank*. The Voice of Jesus. I HEARD the voice of Jesus say, " Come unto me and rest : Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon my breast." I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad, >« 75 THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD t 181 I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, " Behold, I freely give The living water, — thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink and live." I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream, My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him. I heard the voice of Jesus say, " I am this dark world's light Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun ; And in that light of life I '11 walk Till travelling days are done. H. Bonar. Is There no Balm in Gilead? IS there no balm in Gilead, then? is there no Healer nigh ? No freshening spring to cheer the waste so desolate and dry? ■* 182 ROCK OF AGES. Hath Hope's dear vision vanished forever from thy sight, And darkness fallen round thee, the very gloom of night ? And seems thy soul forsaken, her every blessing flown? No soothing for her sorrow, nowhere to make her moan? Yet stay ; the cross thou bearest thus hath first been borne for thee, Jesus Himself did hang thereon, thy life and cure to be. For thine own ease He bare it all, — the scourge and piercing thorn, The nailing and the bruising, the denial, shame, and scorn ; Darkness and desolation deep, and pangs beyond thy thought, And all for thy soul's healing these sad agonic* wen wrought. Upon His Cross He yearned for thee, for thee His heartstrings brake ; Himself of all forsaken, He could not thee for- sake. Then evermore, when chastenings sore thine inmost spirit wring, Say, "My Beloved is crucified, and I to Him will cling." IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD1 183 How shall I sing Thy holy love, dear Passion of my Lord? Or how Thy mystic virtue shall I worthily record ? Thou art the spring of all our hope, the balsam of our woes, The solace of our yearnings, and the bower of our repose ; True Paradise cf all delights, since joy of grief is born, For, as the flowers but close at night to ope more fresh with morn, So He who wept and bled for us, and bowed in earthly gloom, Now makes those sorrows our bright bliss, those wounds our joyous home. Here is a covert from the storm, when winds and waves arise, A. shadow in the scorching noon, a light in starless skies ; A staff upon the rugged road, a shield when foes assail, A charm Divine, against whose might no evil cab prevail ; For where the Cross of Jesus is, is peace, and thert alone, And 'neath that banner of His love He gathereth His own ; 184 ROCK OF AGES. And those who will be Christ's must not e'er grndge their portion small. Who in His bitter chalice, once, and for thee. drained it all. Thou know'st He went not up to joy, but first He suffered pain, And all the self-same path must tread who thus His bliss would gain : Is aught too wearisome or hard for Jesus sake 10 bear? While He is crowned with thorns wilt thou a crown of roses wear? Lo ! this good Cross He offers thee ; it is thy very life ; Anoint with holy unction, it will aid thee in the strife ; T is hallowed by thy Saviour's touch, who hung on it for thee, And Love's sweet might shall make it light, and win the victory. Draw near, thou reft and drooping heart, draw near and lift thy gaze To Him who yearns with outstretched arms thee from thy grief to raise ; Draw near, and, clinging close beneath thy Saviour's bleeding heart, *- ■* JESUS, MY ALL. 185 Tell o'er each throb of that deep woe in which thou hast a part ; Tell o'er each drop of dear life-blood which ebbs for thee so fast, And all thy weary heart-aching upon that true love cast : In Jesus' Cross and Passion is the medicine of thy soul, Tea, there is balm in Gilead, and a Healer to make thee whole. C. Tellon. Jesus, My All. JESUS, ray Saviour, look on me ! For I am weary and oppressed ; I come to cast my soul on Thee ; — Thou art my rest. Look clown on me, for I am weak ; I feel the toilsome journey's length; Thine aid omnipotent I seek ; — Thou art my strength. I am bewildered on my way ; Dark and tempestuous is the night : O, shed Thou forth some cheering ray ; — Thou art my light. 186 ROCK OF AGES. I li&df the storms around me rise, But when I dread th' Impending shock, My .spirit to her refuge flies ; — Thou art my rocK. When the accuser flings his darts. I look to Thee, — my terrors cease ; Thy cross a hiding-place imparts ; — Thou art my peace. Standing alone on Jordan's brink, In that tremendous, latest strife, Thou wilt not suffer me to sink ; — Thou art my life. Thou wilt my every want supply, E'en to the end, whate'er befall ; Through life, in death, eternally, Thou art my all. Macdcfj Leaning on Thee. IEANIXG on Thee, my Guide and Friend, J My gracious Saviour! I am blest; Though weary. Thou dost condescend To be my rest. ^ +:? LEAN-IN G ON THEE. 187 Leaning on Thee, with child-like faith, • To Thee the future I confide ; Each step of life's untrodden path Thy love will guide. Leaning on Thee, I breath no moan, Though faint with languor, parched with heat ; Thy will has now become my own — That will is sweet. Leaning on Thee, 'midst torturing pain With patience Thou my soul dost fill ; Thou whisperest " What did I sustain? " Then I am still. Leaning on Thee, I do not dread The havoc that disease may make ; Thou who for me Thy blood hast shed Wilt ne'er forsake. Leaning on Thee, though faint and weak, Too weak another voice to hear, Thy heavenly accents comfort speak, " Be of good cheer." Leaning on Thee, no fear alarms ; Calmly I stand on death's dark brink ; I feel " the everlasting arms," I cannot sink. an on. 188 ROCK OF AdES. Lead, Saviour, Lead. LEAD, Saviour, lead, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on. The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me ou. Keep Thou my feet ; I do not ask to see The distant scene — one step 's enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou Should'st lead me on ; I loved to choose and see my path ; but now Lead Thou me on. I loved the glare of day, and, spite of years, Pride ruled my will ; remember not past years. So long Thy power hath blessed me — sure, it still Will lead me on O'er vale and hill, through stream and torrent, till The night is gone ; And with the morn those angel faces smile, Which I have loved since, and lost awhile. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. THOU art the Way! All ways are thorny mazes without Thee. Where hearts are pierced, and thoughts all aimless stray ; *■ THE WAT, THE TRUTH, ETC. 189 In Thee the heart stands firm, the life moves free : Thou art the Way ! Thou art the Truth ! Questions, the ages break against in vain, Confront the spirit in its untried youth ; It starves while learning poison from the grain Thou art the Truth ! Thou art the Truth ! Truth for the mind, grand, glorious, infinite, A heaven still boundless o'er its highest growth, Bread for the heart its daily need to meet. Thou art the Truth ! Thou art the Light ! Earth beyond earth no faintest ray can give ; Heaven's shadeless noontide blinds our mortal sight ; In Thee we look on God, and love, and live : Thou art our Light ! Thou art the Kock ! Doubts none can solve heave wild on every side, Wave meeting wave of thought in ceaseless shock; On Thee the soul rests calm amidst the tide : Thou art our Rock ! Thou art the Life ! All ways without Thee paths that end in death ; 1 190 ROCK OF AGES. All life without Thee with death's harvest rife — All truths dry bones, disjoined, and void of breath, Thou art our Life ! For Thou art Love ! Our Way and End ! the way is rest with Thee ! O living Truth, the truth is life in Thee! O Life essential, life is bliss with Thee ! For Thou art Love ! Anon. " That Rock was Christ. ' MY hope is built on nothing, less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness ; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name; On Christ the solid rock [ stand, — All other ground is sinking smd. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace ; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil; On Christ the solid rock I stand, — All other ground is sinking sand. CASTING ALL TOUR CARE ON HIM. 191 His oath, His covenant, and blood, Support me in the sinking flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, - All other ground is sinking sand. When I shall launch to worlds uuseer may I then be found in Him ! Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand, — All other ground is sinking sand. Casting all your Care on Him. LORD, it belongs not to my care Whether I die or live ; To love and serve Thee is my share, And this Thy grace must give. If life be long, I will be glad That I may long obey ; If short, yet why should I be sad To soar to endless day ? *- 192 ROCK OF AGES. Christ leads me through no darker rooms Then He went through before; No one into His kingdom comes, But through His opened door. Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet, Thy blessed face to see ; For if Thy work on earth be sweet, What will Thy glory be! Then shall I end my sad complaints, And weary, sinful days, And join with all triumphant saints Who sing Jehovah's praise. My knowledge of that life is small; The eye of faith is dim ; But 't is enough that Christ knows all, And I shall be with Him. Baxter. The Saviour Found. COME and rejoice with me, For once my heart was poor, And I have found a treasury Of love, a boundless store. * TEE SA VIO UR FO UND. 193 Come and rejoice with me ; I, who was sick at heart, Have met with One who knows my case, And knows the healing art. Come and rejoice with me, For I was wearied sore, And I have found a mighty arm Which holds me evermore. Come and rejoice with me, My feet so wide did roam, And One has sought me from afar, And beareth me safe home. Come and rejoice with me, For I have found a Friend Who knows my heart's most secret depths, Yet loves me without end. I knew not of His love, And He had loved so long, With love so faithful and so deep, So tender and so strong. And now I know it all, — Have heard and know His voice, And hear it still from day to day ; — Can I enough rejoice? 13 104 ROCK OF AGES. All Things are Yours. ALL things that have been, all that are All things that can hv dreamed, All possible creations made. Kept faithful, or redeemed, — All these may draw upon Thy power. Thy mercy may command, And still outflows Thy silent sea, Immutable and grand. O little heart of mine, shall pain Or sorrow make thee moan, When all this God is all for thee, A Father all thine own? Fabeb Trust. I CANNOT see, with my short human sight, Why God should lead this way or that for me ; I only know He saith, " Child, follow Me ! " But I can trust. I know not why my path should be at times So straitly hedged, so strangely barred before ; I only know God could keep wide the door, — But I can trust. GOD OUR STRENGTH. 195 I find no answer, often, when beset With questions fierce and subtle on my way, And often have but strength to faintly pray ; But I can trust. I often wonder, as with trembling hand I cast the seed along the furrowed ground, If ripened fruit for God will there be found ; But I can trust. I cannot know why suddenly the storm Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath; But this I know, God watches all my path ; And I can trust. I may not draw aside the mystic veil That hides the unknown future from my sight; Nor know if for me waits the dark or light ; But I can trust. I have no power to look across the tide, To know, while here, the laud beyond the river : But this I know, I shall be God's forever ! So, I can trust. God our Strength. JEHOVAH is our strength, And He shall be our song ; We shall o'ercome at length, Although our foes be strong ; 196 ROCK OF AGES. In vain doth Satan then oppose, The Lord is stronger than His foes. The Lord our refuge is, And ever will remain ; Since He has made us His, He will our cause maintain; In vain our enemies oppose, For God is stronger than His foes. The Lord our portion is, What can we wish for more? As long as we are His, We never can be poor : In vain do earth and hell oppose, For God is stronger than His foes. The Lord our Shepherd is, He knows our every need ; And since we now are His, His care our souls will feed : In vain do sin and death oppose, For God is stronger than His foes. Our God our Father is, Our names are on His heart : We ever shall be His, He ne'er from us will part : In vain the world and flesh oppose, For God is stronger than His foes. *■ -* WE WOULD SEE JESUS. 197 " Graven Thee on the Palms of my Hands.' SWEET thought, my God ! that on the palms Of Thy most holy hands Are graven all Thy people's names, Though countless as the sands. Not one too mean to have his place Amid that record blest, And if but there our names are found, We '11 share the heavenly rest. How can we then yield to distrust, Or think we are forgot, While ever thus the care of One Who loves and changes not ? M. C. We would ske Jesus. Y\/E would see Jesus — for the shadows lengthen » ' Across this little landscape of our life ; We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen, For the last weariness — the final strife. We would see Jesus — the great Rock Foundation, Whereon our feet were set by sovereign grace ; Not life, nor death, with all their agitation, Can thence remove us, if we see His face. 198 ROCKOF.tr. We would see Jesus — other lights are fading, Which for long years we have rejoiced to see; The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing, We would not mourn them, for we go to Thee. We would see Jesus — this is all we're Deeding, Strength, joy and willingness come with the We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading, — Then welcome, day, and farewell, mortal night ! anow. Christ our Confidence. ARE there not hours when faith is weak, When doubtiugs will arise? Are there not times when those most meek Are taken by surprise ? Some passing cloud may chance to veil The brightness of the sun; Some transient terror may assail True happiness begun. fear thou not. the truth shall shine Still clearer to thy heart, And from its eminence divine, Yet brighter rays impart, — *- TRUST AND REST. 199 If thou but build thy faith so sure On Him who is the Rock, That every blast it may endure, Aud brave the sternest shock. With singleness of heart believe, And let thy trust be keen; Then thou the blessing shalt receive Of those who have not seen. G. H. Smtltan. Trust and Rest. FRET not, poor soul ; while doubt and fear Disturb thy breast, The pitying angels, who can see How vain thy wild regret must be, Say, Trust and rest. Plan not, nor scheme, but calmly wait ; His choice is best ; While blind and erring is thy sight, His wisdom sees and judges right : So trust and rest. Strive not, nor struggle ; thy poor might Can never wrest The meanest thing to serve thy will ; All power is His alone ; be still, And trust and rest. ■* 200 ROCK OF AGES. Desire not; for self-love is strong Within thy breast : And yet He loves thee better still, So let Him do His loving will, And trust and rest. What dost thou fear? His wisdom reigns Supreme, confessed ; His power is Infinite; His love The deepest, fondest dreams above; So trust and rest. Strength according to Thy Day. \Y r AIT. my soul, upon the Lord ; »1 To His gracious promise flee, Laying hold upon His word, — " As thy day thy strength shall be." If the sorrows of thy case Seem peculiar still to thee, God has promised needful grace, — "As thy day, thy strength shall be." Days of trial, days of grief, In succession thou may'st see ; This is still thy sweet relief — " As thy day thy streugth shall be." *- JES US E VER NEAR. 201 Rock of ages, I 'm secure, With Thy promise full and free, Faithful, positive, and sure, — " As thy day thy strength shall be." Jesus ever Near. SINCE I have learned Thou art, Thou livest, and art love, Art love, and lovest me ; — Fearless I look above ! Thy blood blots out my sin, Thy love casts out my fear ; Heaven is no longer far, Since Thou, its sun, art near. Here Thou abid'st awhile, Here in the night with me ; Soon Thou wilt take me home — Home to Thy light, with Thee. Where is no night, nor eyes Which weeping long for night ; Eyes whence Thou wip'st the tears, Can bear Thy cloudless light. *- 202 ROCK OF AGES. Summer, life-fountains, day, Within, around, above! Where we shall see Thy face, Where we shall feel Thy love ! In the World. NOT yet, not yet the Sabbath rest May bid this turmoil cease, And hush these week-day voices shrill, With holy words of peace. I count the days since last it came, So few and yet so long! I wait its healing influence, So gentle and so strong! Like surf upon a storm-lashed shore, Roll in upon my life These waves of worldliness and care, Of folly, sin and strife. There is no time for solitude; The blessed dews of prayer Are dried up in the glare of pomp, Or flattery's poisoned air. *- IN THE WORLD. 203 To-night I think how fair it is Beyond this scene of mirth, Where, calm and still, God's holy stars Look on the slumbering earth. Thou Guide along the path of life, Which leads me even here, Where no one breathes Thy sacred name, I know that Thou art near. Enter, O Lord, the inner shrine, Within my heart of hearts, And light it with Thy smile divine, Which heavenly peace imparts. If worclly trade or revelry Hath dared to enter there, Cleanse it, as once of old Thy scourge Cleansed Salem's temple fair. Then speak, dear Lord ! and though the world Its thousand claims may bring On eye and ear, on voice and hand, My heart is listening. So, though no Sabbath bell may ring, My rest is where Thou art, And Thou, e'en here, canst breathe the calm Of Sabbath in my heart. Mary E. Atkinson. 4 I * 204 HOCK OF AGES. Submission. SINCE thy Father's arm sustains thee, Peaceful be. When a chastening hand restrains thee, It is He! Know His love in full completeness, Feel the measure of thy weakness; If He wound thy spirit sore, Trust Him more. Without murmur, uncomplaining, In His hand Leave whatever things thou canst not Understand. Though the world thy folly spurneth, From thy faith in pity turneth, Peace thy inmost soul shall till, Lying still. Like an infant, if thou thinkest Thou canst stand, Childlike, proudly pushing back The proffered hand ; Courage soon is changed to fear, Strength doth feebleness appear; In His love if thou abide He will guide. SUBMISSION, 205 Fearest sometimes that thy Father Hath forgot? Though the clouds around thee gather, Doubt Him not ! Always hath the daylight broken, Always hath He comfort spoken ; Better hath He been for years Than thy fears. Therefore, whatso'er betideth, Night or day, Know His love for thee provideth Good alway : Crown of sorrows gladly take, Grateful wear it for His sake ; Sweetly bending to His will, Lying still. To His own thy Saviour giveth Daily strength ; To each troubled soul that liveth Peace at length : "Weakest lambs have largest share Of the tender Shepherd's care. Ask Him not, then, " When, or how? " Only bow. *- 206 ROCK OF AGES. Have Faith in God. HAVE faith in God ! for He who reigns on high Hath borne thy grief and hears the suppliant's sigh ; Still to His arms, thine only refuge, fly. Have faith in God ! Fear not to call on Him. O soul distressed ! Thy sorrow's whisper woos thee to His breast ; He who is oftenest there is oftenest blest. Have faith in God ! Lean not on Egypt's reeds ; slake not thy thirst At earthly cisterns. Seek the kingdom first. Though man and Satan fright thee with their worst, Have faith in God ! Go ! tell Him all ! The sigh thy bosom heaves Is heard in heaven. Strength and grace He gives, Who gave Himself for thee. Our Jesus lives. Have faith in God ! Anna Shipton. Have Mercy. SOUL of Jesus, make me holy, Make me contrite, meek and lowly} Soul most saintless, Soul Divine, Cleanse this sordid soul of mine ; 4* + HAVE MERCY. 207 Hallow this polluted soul, Purify it, make it whole; Soul of Jesus, hallow me, Miserere Domine. Save me, body of my Lord, Save a sinner vile, abhorred ; Sacred body, wan and worn, Bruised and mangled, scourged and torn, Pierced hands and feet and side, Rent, insulted, crucified, Save me — to the Cross I flee ; Miserere Domine. Blood of Jesus, Stream of life, Sacred stream with blessings rife, From that broken body shed On the Cross, that altar dread; Given to be our drink Divine, Fill my heart and make it Thine ; Blood of Christ, my succor be ; Miserere Domine. Holy water, stream that poured From Thy riven side, O Lord, Wash Thou me without, within ; Cleanse me from the taint of sin, Till my soul is clean and white, >08 ROCK OF AGES. Bathed and purified and bright As a ransomed BOUl Bhoold be; Miserere Doraine. Jesus, by the wondrous power Of Thine awful passion-hoar, By the animagined woe Mortal man may never know; By the curse upon Thee laid, By the ransom Thou hast paid, By Thy Passion comfort me ; Miserere Domine. Jesus, by Thy bitter death, By Thy last expiring breath Give me the eternal life Purchased by that mortal strife ; Thou didst suffer death that I Might not die eternally; By Thy dying quicken me ; Miserere Domine. Miserere ; let me be Never parted, Lord, from Thee; Guard me from my ruthless foe, Save me from eternal woe ; In the dreadful Judgment day Be Thy Cross my hope and stay ; When the hour of death is near, *- *r SAFETY W JESUS. 209 And my spirit faints for fear, — Call me with Thy voice of love, Place me near to Thee above, With Thine angel-host to raise An undying song of praise ; Miserere Domine. Safety in Jesus. SWEET is the solace of Thy love, My heavenly Friend, to me, While through the hidden way of faith I journey home with Thee, Learning by quiet thankfulness As a dear child to be. Though from the shadow of thy peace Mj feet would often stray, Thy mercy follows every step And will not turn away ; Yea, Thou wilt? comfort me at last, As none beneath Thee may. Oft in a dark and lonely place, I hush my hastened breath, To hear the comfortable words Thy loving Spirit saith; And feel my safety in Thy hand From every kind of death. 14 * 210 ROCK OF AGES. 0, there is nothing in the world To weigh against Thy will ; E'en the dark times I dread the most Thy covenant fulfil ; And when the glorious morning dawns I find Thee with me still. No other comforter I need, If Thou, O Lord, be mine ; — Thy rod will bring my spirit low, Thy fire my heart refine, And cause me pain that none can heal By other love than Thine. Then in the secret of ray soul, Though hosts my peace invade, Though through a waste and weary land My lonely way be made, Thou, even Thou, wilt comfort me — I need not be afraid. Still in the solitary place I would awhile abide, Till with the solace of Thy love My heart is satisfied, And all my hopes of happiness Stay calmly at Tby side. a. L. w. *• w submission; 211 Submission. OLORD, how happy should we be If we could cast our care on Thee, If we from self could rest ; And feel at heart that One above In perfect wisdom, perfect love, Is working for the best. How far from this our daily life, How oft disturbed by anxious strife, By sudden wild alarms ; O, could we but relinquish all Our earthly props, and simply fall On Thine Almighty arms ! Could we but kneel and cast our load, E'en while we pray, upon our God, Then rise with lightened cheer; Sure that the Father, who is nigh To still the famished raven's cry, Will hear in that we fear. We cannot trust Him as we should ; So chafes weak Nature's restless mood To cast its peace away ; But birds and flowerets round us each, All, all the present evil teach — Sufficient for the day. •* *- 212 ROCK OF AGES. Lord, make these faithless hearts of ours Such lessons learn from birds and flowers; Make them from self to cea£ Leave all things to a Father's will And taste, before Him lying still, E'en in affliction, peace. Kneeling at the Threshold. I'M kneeling at the threshold, weary, faint, and sore ; Waiting for the dawning, for the opening of the door; "Waiting till the Master shall bid me rise and come, To the glory of His presence, to the gladness of His home ! A weary path I 've traveled, 'mid darkness, storm, and strife : Bearing many a burden, struggling for my life; But now the morn is breaking, my toil will soon be o'er, I 'm kueeling at the threshold, my hand is on the door ! Methinks I hear the voices of the blessed as they stand, Singing in the sunshine, in the far-off sinless land. O, would that I were with them, amid their shining throng, Mingling in their worship, joining in their song' ABIDE WITH US. 213 The friends that started with me have entered long ago; One by one they left me struggling with the foe ; Their pilgrimage was shorter, their triumph surer won, How lovingly they '11 hail me, when all my toil is done ! With them the blessed angels that know no grief or sin, — I see them by the portals, prepared to let me in. O Lord, I wait Thy pleasure ; Thy time and way are best; But I 'm wasted, worn, and weary ; Father, bid me rest ! Guthrie, Abide with Us. ABIDE with me ! fast falls the eventide ; The darkness thickens ; Lord, with me abide ; While other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O, abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day ; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away : Change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not, abide with me. ■* 214 ROCK OF AGES. Come not in terrors as the King of kings, But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,— Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea, Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me. Thou on my head in early youth didst smile, And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee ; — O, to the close, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless, Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness ; Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee! t'n life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. " I am now Ready to be Offered.' RESTING on the Rock of ages, Safe above the billowy tide, Sheltered from each rushing current, I have all life's storms defied; Now I watch the slanting sunbeams, As they redden in the west, 11 1 AM NO W READ Y TO BE OFFERED." 215 Life's long labors calmly leaving, For the glorious land of rest. Ready now to spread my pinions, Glad to wing my flight away, From the gloom that hovers round me To the realms of endless day. Ready to be washed and pardoned, Ready to be pure from sin, Ready to complete the conflict, Ready heavenly joy to win. Ready to be freed from sorrow, Tears and partings, toil and pain, Ready for the heavenly mansion, — Life is dear, but death is gain. Ready to forsake the shadows Of the night, so dim and long; Ready for the harp of glory, Ready for the angels' song. Ready, with salvation's banner, To ecstatic joy to rise ; Ready for the glad hosanna In the heavenly Paradise. Ready with the just made perfect, Clothed in robes of light, to be Swelling the enraptured chorus, — Singing joy and victory. ■* 216 ROCK OF AGES. Ready to behold the Saviour, With His likeness satisfied; Christ's alone and Christ's forever, Christ my portion. Christ my guide; In His righteousness accepted, Ready at His feet to fall, Saved by grace, a worthless sinner, Nothing I, — Christ all in all. Heavenly messengers are round me, Hark, their voices bid me come, — " Earth and time too long have bound thee, Waiting spirit, welcome home." Glad I go,— my toil is finished, — Broke at last each earthly spell, Upward now my soul is tending, Earth, and time, and death, farewell. As the bird with warbling music Soars above our feeble sight, Singing still, and still ascending, Melting in heaven's glorious light, — So the dying saint, departing, Joyful took his heavenward way, Life and time and gladness blending In the light of perfect day. S. F. Smith. l!»— * THE HE A VENL Y FA THERLANS>. 217 The Departed. THUS pass they from our homes away To worlds above the skies ; Where glows the fair, celestial day And pleasure never dies. We miss them where of late they trod Along earth's sunny bowers, Yet joy to know they dwell with God In sunnier lands than ours. Ours is the pain, the toil, the strife, The doubt, and fear, and grief, Theirs, the immortal, glorious life, The endless, sweet relief. Life speeds apace, — we '11 struggle still, While sin and toil remain, Then soar to Zion's holy hill, And hail the loved again. S. F. Smith. The Heavenly Fatherland. HERE we have many fears, This is the vale of tears, The land of sorrow ; Tears are there none at all In that celestial hall, In life's bright morrow. 218 ROCK OF AGES. O, for the joya in store; But one short moment more, Then life forever; O, for the joys in store, At the glad Heavenly door Of the Life-giver. What is the prize? for whom? Heaven for the sons of doom; Life for the winner; Bliss for the nothing-worth, Gold for the dross of earth; God for the sinner. Loud sounds the battle-cry; Whence comes the victory? Seek you to guess? Hence, Full-streamed, without alloy, Flows everlasting joy From His bright presence. Hope here we live upon; Here we see Babylon, Zion invading: Now grief is all our lot; Then joys which wither not, Garlands unlading. O Zion, bright with gold, Flowing with milk thy fold, THE HE A VENL Y FA THERLAND, 219 City of gladness, — Tongue cannot tell thy bliss, Heart sinks oppressed with this, Even to sadness. I cannot strain my sight To that intense delight, Nor tell the story, What throbs of ardent love Thrill through the courts above, — My ears may strain to hear, They cannot reach the sphere, For full before it Beams of surpassing light Fall on my dazzled sight; Mute I adore it. For Zion's halls along Echoes the voice of song; There the departed, Fresh from the deadly fight, Throng round the Lord of Light, Jubilant-hearted. There is eternal rest ; There after toil, the blest Cease from life's fever; * 220 ROCK OF AGES. There in heaven's banquet hall Sounds the high festival Of the Receiver. There round the Lord of might, Vested in garments white, On that bright morrow, Musters their vast array — Tears ha-, e all fled away, Vanished all sorrow. For Zion's courts within Death may not tread, nor sin. Nor guilt's endeavor; Thus without fault are they, Peaceful, without dismay ; At rest forever. Zion glorious, City victorious, Towers of salvation, Thee I seek and desire; To Thee I aye aspire In contemplation. Good works I offer none; 1 have no pardon won By my own merit; + 4 THE HE A VENL Y FA THEJILAND. 221 First-born of wrath am I ; Sold to iniquity, Body and spirit. I can bring nought at all, Bondsman of sin and thrall, Scarred in each feature, In life and soul I faint, Under the poison-taint Of my lost nature. Yet day and night I cry, Father, Thy help is nigh When we beseech it ; I see the prize above, Stretch forth Thy hand of love, Aid us to reach it. Thou to life call'st us forth Out of the dust of earth ; Thine own ablution, When we were born in sin, Washed our souls clean within From all pollution. Thine is the salve ordained For those whom guilt has stained, Who by compunction >:<■ 222 ROCK OF AGES. Claim what no soul can claim, Unpurged by grief and shame, — The heavenly unction. From David's fount apace Flows the pure stream of grace. Ever descending; Through it sin's leprosy Soon fades and dies away, And has its ending. Grace of God, on high 1 see beyond the sky, The clouds are riven, — As through a glass I see, Dimly and mistily, The gates of heaven. Zion, bright with gold, Dear home of joys untold, In God's light burning; 1 stretch my arms — my soul ; Shall I e'er reach the goal Of all my yearning? blessed fatherland 1 1 see the happy band, The mists grow lighter, — * THE HE A VENL T FA THE EL A ND. 223 I see the light of day- Round their fair garlands play, Brighter and brighter. blessed fatherland, Say, shall I ever stand Where I can share thee ? Say but — " The time shall come When to this happy home, Angels shall bear thee." Is it a trance, a dream ? O, do these things but seem? Is it a vision? Let me but grasp it fair ! No : 't will not melt in air, In vain derision. O my dust, triumph thou I God is my portion now — Thine now and ever ! O my dust, triumph thou ! God is my portion now — Thine now and ever ! 224 ROCK OF AGES. Heaven. NO ill can mar the saint's repose, Calmly he meets the final shock; Hope is the anchor of his soul, He leans on Christ, the eternal Rock. Death, like the grate to endless life, Unfolding, shows the fetters riven ; Earth claims the captive soul no more, Ou its bright path it speeds to heaven. No grief to bathe the cheek with tears, No whelming woe to dim the eye, No fierce disease, no anxious fears, No hopes that brighten but to die. No setting sun, no clouded day. No stormy hours of deadly pain, No doubts to drive our joys away, And plunge the soul in fear again. No sin, no dark temptation's power, No withering shadows of the tomb, No quivering lip, no parting hour, Heaven brings us an immortal home. As sinks the glowing orb of day. Behind the hills iu light sublime, * THE ROCK OF AGES. 225 But kindles with the setting ray, The morning of some distant clime, So soars the saint from earth's low vale, Where once with painful steps he trod, The crown of life eternal wins, And reigns, a priest and king, with God. 8. F. Smith. The Rock of Ages. NO sorrow, like a sweeping storm, Around the soul fierce conflict wages, But Christ has power its force to quell, — No storm can move the Rock of Ages. O yearning thirst of human hearts, — Thirst which no earthly good assuages, Seek water from the smitten rock, That rock is Christ, — the Rock of Ages. O hearts and hands consumed by toil, Confined to earth, as birds in cages ; Rest for the weary, endless rest, Lies in thy shelter, Rock of Ages. Search all the wisdom earth can boast, Bring all the light from saints and sages, Vain is the quest for peace and rest, Till sought within the Rock of Ages. 15 -* >.+ 226 ROCKOFAQES. What thought, what hope, what love, what joy The heart, the curious heart, engages; Joy, love and hope surpassing thought, All centre in the Rock of Ages. There is a land serene and fair. Where falls no blight, no passion rages, Sheltered and safe from grief and sin, O'ershadowed by the Rock of Ages. Grateful our heavenward path we tread, Mount by successive steps and stages, And wait secure the day of God, Hid in thy clefts, O Rock of Ages. g F. Smith. *■ INDEX OF FIRST LINES. PAGE. Abide with Me — fast falls the eventide 213 A gentle angel walketh 73 Ah, pilot, 'tis a fearful night 65 All things that have been, all that are - - - . 194 A man once built a lighthouse 6S Amid the shadows and the fears 131 And whither came these goodly stones ----- 71 Are there not hours when faith is weak ----- 198 As those that watch for the day 103 Be not afraid, 'tis I 180 Be thou content, be still before 121 Breast the wave, Christian 77 Cling to the Crucified 164 Cling to the Mighty One 170 Closer to Thee 146 Come and rejoice with me ....... 192 Come bowed with grief and sick of sin 137 Come, drink ye, drink ye all of it 152 Come, O thou Traveller unknown 20 Come to the morning prayer 62 Dark is the watery way 95 Eternal Rock, to Thee I fly 92 Faith is the dawning of the day 141 Father, before Thy footstool kneeling 82 Fierce were the wild billows 79 Fighting the battle of life 74 Fleeing, O Rock of ages 17 *- 228 IXDEX OF FIRST LIVES. PACK Fret not, poor soul, while doubt and fear .... 199 God is the refuge of His saints 9 Go, worship at Immanuel's feet - - 104 Rave faith in God, for He who reigns on high Have faith in Iliin who rules the deep 54 He bids us come, His voice we know He leads us on MM Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face - - - - 15] Here we have many fears 217 He 6itteth o'er the water-floods Ill lie who on earth as man was known 173 Hope, Christian soul, in every stage 42 How firm the saint's foundation stands ..... 172 How purely true, how deeply warm 112 How weary and how worthless this life at times appears 17-4 I cannot always trace the way 55 I cannot see, with my short human sight .... 194 I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be 126 I do not doubt my safety that Thy hand .... 120 If God is mine, then present things 108 I heard the voice of Jesus say 180 I know not if the dark or bright 115 I lay my sins on Jesus 156 I love, and have some cause to love the earth 44 I'm kneeling at the threshold, weary, faint and sore • - 212 In the dim recess of thy spirit's chamber .... 109 In weakness at Thy feet I lie 136 I rest with Thee, Lord; whither should I go? - - -Ml I saw the cross of Jesus 163 Is there no balm in Gilead ....... 1S1 I thirst, the blessed Saviour said 148 I worship thee, sweet will of God 131 Jehovah is our strength Jehovah reigns; He dwells in light 171 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 229 Jesus, my Saviour, look on me Jesus pro me perforatus - Just as I am, without one plea - Just as thou art, without one trace ■ Lamp of our feet, wherehy we trace Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Lead, Saviour, lead amid the encircling gloom Leaning on Thee, my guide and friend Leave God to order all thy ways Like a blind spinner in the sun Long did I toil, and knew no earthly rest Lord, I hear of showers of blessing Lord, it belongs not to my care Lord Jesus, as thou wilt - Lord, to Thine altar we draw near Lord, unto thee we cry My God, is any hour so sweet - My God, my Father, while I stray My God protects, my fears be gone My hand in Christ's, He leadeth where My hope is built on nothing less My prayer to the promise shall cling Nearer, my God, to Thee • No ill can mar the saints' repose No sorrow, like a sweeping storm Not yet, not yet the Sabbath rest O holy Saviour, friend unseen O 't was lang, lang syne, mother O Lord, how happy should we be O Lord my God, the way is rough O love Divine, that stooped to share O not my own these verdant hills O not to fill the mouth of fame O Rock of ages, since on Thee PAGE. 185 6 137 139 38 94 188 861 118 116 33 140 191 127 357 10<< 64 31 19 176 190 17 145 224 225 202 101 46 211 51 161 106 105 165 +F * 230 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. O Rock of ages, when the storm O Ruler of the storm, whose might strong to save and bless - O Thou, the contrite sinner's friend O Thou, who nearest prayer .... Poor, trembling lamb, ah, who outside the fold Prayer may be sweet In cottage home* - Presa forward and fear not, the billows may roll Resting on the Rock of ages .... Rocked in the cradle of the deep Rock of ages, cleft for me .... Saviour, I come to Thee - - - . - Since I have learned Thou art - Since thy Father's arm sustains Thee Sometimes I catch sweet glimpses of His face Soul of Jesus, make me holy - Soul of Jesus, once for me Sweet is the solace of Thy love Sweet thought, my God, that on the palms The blessed cross now shines to us - The child leans on the parent's breast - The night Is damp ; behold the shade • - The pathways of Thy land are little changed There is a book who runs may read There is an everlasting home ... There is an eye that never sleeps There is a safe and secret place There was hope in the ark at the dawn of the The shadow of the rock - The twilight falls, the night is near - The way seems long, dear Leader, and my feet The winds blow fierce across the barren wild Thine forever, God of love This life is like a flying dream - day 100 » 81 67 •214 "A 5 177 - 209 197 159 -7 147 13 36 88 35 M S. 10 63 77 56 80 *■ INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 231 PAGE. Thou art my hiding-place, Lord 168 Thou art the way 188 Thou art the way, and he who sighs ..... 179 Thou, Lord, my path shalt choose 129 Thus far the Lord has led us 109 Thus pass they from our homes away 217 Tossed with rough winds, and faint with fear - - - - 85 Tossing in dreamy sleep 66 Under the shadow of Thy wing abiding ... 23 Wait, my soul, upon the Lord 200 We cannot always trace the way 133 We may not climb the heavenly steeps - 96 We praise Thee oft for hours of bliss 29 We would see Jesus, for the shadows lengthen ... 197 Whate'er my Q-od ordains is right ----.- 124 What wouldst thou have, O soul 225 When adverse winds and waves arise - .... 39 When along life's thorny road 28 When gathering clouds around I view 24 When my sins in aspect dread ...... 57 When spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil 49 When the nations toss and roar ...... 84 When thickly beat the storms of life 19 When waves of sorrow round me swell ...» 26 When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean 23 When wounded sore the stricken soul 43 With tearful eyes I look around 86 Would my soul could fly for refuge .... - 15 * By*?? m