Through death's dark vale no human hand may take me, No friend's fond smile may bless me Alone the silent pathway must be trod, For I must die alone-Oh then, my God, 3 Forsake me not, my God! when darkly o'er me Roll thoughts of guilt, and overwhelm my heart; When the accuser, threatening, stands before me, And trembling conscience writhes beneath the dart; Thou who canst cleanse by thine atoning blood, Each sinful spot, Plead thou my cause, my Saviour and my God! Forsake me not! 4 Forsake me not, O thou, thyself forsaken, In that mysterious hour of agony, When, from thy soul, thy Father's smile was taken, Which had from everlasting dwelt on thee! Oh, by that depth of anguish, which to know By that last bitter cry, incarnate God, *CLXI. IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH. "I will be with him in trouble."-Psalm xci. 15. 1 FATHER, when thy child is dying, 2 Let me willingly surrender 3 Ere my pulse has ceased its beating, 4 Ere my chain's last link be broken, 5 If the powers of hell surround me, 6 When no remedies availing, Fiercer pangs my frame assailing, 7 When, tho' tender friends be near me, 8 When, each face beloved concealing, 9 When the lips are dumb which blest me, And withdrawn the hand that pressed me, Then, let sweeter sounds arrest me, Calling my soul away! 10 Thou, who bad'st to death defiance, 11 Guide her to that world of spirits, Joys which can ne'er decay. CLXII. "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."-1 Cor. xv. 57. 1 I STOOD beside the dark death-bed, 2 Yet, tyrant; in that final hour, Thou still shalt own a mightier power; 3 Oh, name to every Christian dear, That sound, when other sounds were vain, 4 The glazing eye so dull, that e’en 5 A smile of speechless joy that told, *CLXIII. "To die is gain.”—Phil. i. 21. 1 O MUCH beloved! fear not to die, A mansion where no sins, no foes, 2 Why should'st thou fear to die, when death 3 Death must dissolve it, flesh and blood 4 To Nature, his approach seems sad, His coming step to hear: She knows that, though the hand be rough, Each blow brings freedom near. |