BESET with snares on every hand,
In life's uncertain path I stand;
Saviour divine, diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.
O may this roving treacherous heart,
Like Mary, choose the better part,
And scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that none can take away!
Then let the wildest storms arise,
Let tempests mingle earth and skies,
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.
If Thou, my Jesus, still be nigh,
Cheerful I live and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in Thee.
THE silent joy, that sinks so deep,
Of confidence and rest,
Lulled in a father's arms to sleep,
Clasped to a mother's breast!
Who but a Christian, through all life,
That blessing may prolong?
Who, through the world's sad day of strife, Still chant his morning song?
Fathers may hate us or forsake,
God's foundlings then are we;
Mother on child no pity take,
But we shall still have thee.
look home, and seek in vain
A fond fraternal heart;
But Christ hath given his promise plain
To do a brother's part.
Rock of ages, rent for me!
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power!
Not the labour 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;
Naked, come to 'Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Vile, I to the 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, rent for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
PLEAD Thou-oh, plead my cause!
Each self-excusing plea
My trembling soul withdraws,
And flies to Thee.
Where Justice rears her throne,
Ah! who, save thee alone,
May stand, O spotless One?-
Plead thou my cause!
Ah! plead not ought of mine,
Before thine altar thrown:
Fragments-when all is thine-
All-all thine own!
Thou seest what stains they bear:
Oh! since each tear, each prayer,
Hath need of pardon there,
Plead thou my cause!
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