THE DOUBTER'S PRAYER

    Eternal Power, of earth and air！ Unseen, yet seen in all around, Remote, but dwelling¹ everywhere, Though silent, heard in every sound；

    If e'er thine ear in mercy bent², 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 ascends³ in prayer, OH, GIVE ME——GIVE ME FAITH！ I cry.

    Without some glimmering⁴ in my heart, I could not raise this fervent⁵ 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 anguish⁶ of my heart.

    What shall I do, if all my love, My hopes, my toil⁷, are cast away, And if there be no God above, To hear and bless me when I pray？

    If this be vain delusion⁸ 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； Forsake⁹ it not： it is thine own, Though weak, yet longing¹⁰ 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 reign¹¹ 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.