3 And when the powers of nature fail Upon the couch of pain, Nor love nor friendship can avail The spirit to detain; Then, Father, be our closing eyes Undimmed by tears of grief; And, if a trembling doubt arise, Help Thou our unbelief!
1 Feeble, helpless, how shall I Learn to live and learn to die? Who, O God, my guide shall be? Who shall lead thy child to Thee?
2 Blessed Father, gracious One, Thou hast sent thy holy Son; He will give the light I need, He my trembling steps will lead.
3 Through this world, uncertain, dim, Let me ever learn of him; From his precepts wisdom draw, Make his life my solemn law.
4 Thus in deed, and thought, and word, Led by Jesus Christ the Lord, In my weakness, thus shall I Learn to live and learn to die;
5 Learn to live in peace and love, Like the perfect ones above;-- Learn to die without a fear, Feeling Thee, my Father, near.
1 When in thine hour of conflict, Lord, The tempter to thy soul was nigh, Or when that bitter cup was poured In thy deep garden-agony,--
2 Not then, when uttermost thy need, Seemed light across thy soul to break; No seraph form was seen to speed, Nor yet the voice of comfort spake;
3 Till, by thine own triumphant word, The victory over ill was won; Until the voice of faith was heard, "Thy will, O God, not mine, be done!"
4 Lord, bring those precious moments back, When fainting against sin we strain; Or in thy counsels fail to track Aught but the present grief and pain.
5 In weakness, help us to contend; In darkness, yield to God our will; And true hearts, faithful to the end, Cheer by thine holy angels still!
1 Hasten, Lord, to my release; Haste to help me, O my God! Foes like armed bands increase;-- Turn them back the way they trod.
2 Dark temptations round me press, Evil thoughts my soul assail; Doubts and fears, in my distress, Rise, till flesh and spirit fail.
3 Thou mine only helper art, My redeemer from the grave; Strength of my desiring heart, Father! Helper! haste to save!
1 Almighty Father! Thou hast many a blessing In store for every erring child of Thine; For this I pray,--Let me, Thy grace possessing, Seek to be guided by Thy will divine.
2 Not for earth's treasures, for her joys the dearest, Would I my supplications raise to Thee; Not for the hopes that to my heart are nearest, But only that I give that heart to Thee.
