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 iny wants, allays my fears,
And counts and treasures up my tears.
If ought should tempt my soul to stray
From heavenly wisdom's narrow way;
To flee the good I would pursue,
Or do the sin I would not do,
Still He who felt temptation's power
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.
When vexing thoughts within me rise,
And sore dismayed my spirit dies,
Yet 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 all that was a friend,
And from his hand, and voice, and smile,
Divides me for a little while;
My Saviour marks the tears I shed,
For Jesus wept o'er Lazarus dead!
And O! when I have safely past
Through every conflict but the last,
Still, Lord, unchanging watch beside
My dying bed, for Thou hast died.
Then point to realms of cloudless day,
And wipe my latest tears away.
WINKS AND SON, PRINTERS, LEICESTER.