Though, like the wanderer, Darkness be over me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I'd be Nearer, my God, to Thee, There let the way appear All that thou send'st to me Then, with my waking thoughts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; So by my woes to be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee! Or if on joyful wing Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Still, all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee! SARAH F. ADAMS. NEAR HOME. NE sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o'er and o'er, · I am nearer home to-day Than I ever was before. Nearer my Father's House, Where the many mansions be; Nearer the great White Throne, Nearer the bound of life, Where we lay our burdens down; Nearer leaving the cross, Nearer wearing the crown. But, lying dark between, Winding down through the night, Is the dim and unknown stream Closer, closer my steps Come to the dark abysm; Closer death to my lips Presses the awful chrism. Saviour, perfect my trust; Strengthen my might of faith; Let me feel as I would when I stand On the rock of the shore of death; Feel as I would when my feet Are slipping over the brink; For it may be I'm nearer home, Nearer now, than I think. ALICE CARY. |