From blest, unconscious sleep I wake again,

To sense of cheerless days and wearing pain,

My sad, appointed lot;

I know not if to-day my righteous God

Will add fresh strokes of His chastising rod,

Yet be it so or not,

His love will guard me with its watchful care,

And keep me safe beneath the cross I bear.

Though every morning bring some burden new,

My heavenly Father every day is true,

Who all my sorrow feels;

No man before the evening’s close can say

What unforeseen event shall mark the day,

Which time alone reveals:

Each day may open some new path of pain,

Yet God will in that path my feet sustain.

Then why, faint heart, dost thou still hesitate,

Appalled and frightened at the burden’s weight

Upon thy shoulder laid?

Grasp it more firmly, and the Lord of all,

Who ne’er was known to stumble or to fall,

Thy staggering steps will aid:

Cheered by this thought, thou shalt no longer dread

The dreary way of that rough road to tread.

Fain would I take this comfort to my heart.

Could I but feel secure that I have part

In His almighty love;

Which blessed hope no flattering view can give,

Unless a life of holiness I live,

A saving faith to prove;

For if I walk not closely with my God,

I cannot lean on His supporting rod.

Now truly contrite, in Thy way direct

Make me henceforth to walk more circumspect,

And cleanse me from my sin;

Then, strengthened by Thy saving Arm of might,

I ’gainst this evil world shall bravely fight,

And shall the battle win:

With this conviction I my road pursue,

Regardless what each turn may bring to view.

I lay on Thee, my God and Saviour blest,

The weight which has my failing strength opprest,

Too ponderous to endure;

My worldly state with trusting faith I place

In Thine o’er-ruling Hand, throughout my race

My tried support and sure,

Which, from my youth, has never failed to guide

The changeful course of life’s eventful tide.

Allies and kindred now, and cherished friends,

To kind, protecting love my prayer commends

Of Thy paternal Heart;

To that safe refuge of Christ’s wounded Side

I trust my soul, its frailties there to hide,

When soul and body part,

And from this suffering frame at length set free,

I lay myself, O God, at rest on Thee.