Eternal Power, of earth
and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all
around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in
every sound;
If e'er thine ear in mercy
bent,
When wretched mortals cried
to Thee,
And if, indeed, Thy Son
was sent,
To save lost sinners such
as me:
Then hear me now, while kneeling
here,
I lift to thee my heart
and eye,
And all my soul ascends
in prayer,
OH, GIVE ME--GIVE ME FAITH!
I cry.
Without some glimmering in
my heart,
I could not raise this fervent
prayer;
But, oh! a stronger light
impart,
And in Thy mercy fix it
there.
While Faith is with me, I
am blest;
It turns my darkest night
to day;
But while I clasp it to
my breast,
I often feel it slide away.
Then, cold and dark, my spirit
sinks,
To see my light of life
depart;
And every fiend of Hell,
methinks,
Enjoys the anguish of my
heart.
What shall I do, if all my
love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast
away,
And if there be no God above,
To hear and bless me when
I pray?
If this be vain delusion
all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret
call,
Or see the silent tears
I weep!
Oh, help me, God! For thou
alone
Canst my distracted soul
relieve;
Forsake it not: it
is thine own,
Though weak, yet longing
to believe.
Oh, drive these cruel doubts
away;
And make me know, that Thou
art God!
A faith, that shines by
night and day,
Will lighten every earthly
load.
If I believe that Jesus died,
And waking, rose to reign
above;
Then surely Sorrow, Sin,
and Pride,
Must yield to Peace, and
Hope, and Love.
And all the blessed words
He said
Will strength and holy joy
impart:
A shield of safety o'er
my head,
A spring of comfort in my
heart.
