124 THE ROD. Must I be smitten, Lord? Can nothing save but pain? Thou trustedst me a while; Alas! I was deceived; I revelled in the smile, Yet to the dust I cleaved. Then the fierce tempest broke, I read in that sharp stroke A father's hand and name. And yet I did Thee wrong; Dark thoughts of Thee came in,— A froward, selfish throng— And I allowed the sin! I did Thee wrong, my God, I wronged thy truth and love, Against thy power I strove. ปี 126 THE ROD. Riper and riper now, Each hour let me become, Less fit for scenes below, More fit for such a home. More moulded to Thy will, Higher and higher still, Leave nought that is unmeet; STRENGTH BY THE WAY. JESUS, while this rough desert-soil I tread, be Thou my guide and stay; Nerve me for conflict and for toil; Uphold me on my stranger-way. Jesus, in heaviness and fear, 'Mid cloud, and shade, and gloom I stray, For earth's last night is drawing near; O cheer me on my stranger-way. Jesus, in solitude and grief, When sun and stars withhold their ray, Make haste, make haste to my relief; O light me on my stranger-way. Jesus, in weakness of this flesh, When Satan grasps me for his prey; O give me victory afresh ; And speed me on my stranger-way. Jesus, my righteousness and strength, THE FEAST. LOVE strong as death, nay stronger, Broad as the earth, and longer To gladdest day from saddest night, Us to his table here, This is the love that spreadeth For us this royal cheer. |