"Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink"
                      by  William H. Bathhurst, 1796-1877
                                  Text From:
                              THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
                 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)
 

 
	1. Oh, for a faith that will not shrink 
	Tho' pressed by many a foe; 
	That will not tremble on the brink 
	Of poverty or woe; 
 
	2. That will not murmur nor complain 
	Beneath the chast'ning rod, 
	But in the hour of grief or pain 
	Can lean upon its God; 
 
	3. A faith that shines more bright and clear 
	When tempests rage without; 
	That, when in danger, knows no fear, 
	In darkness feels no doubt; 
 
	4. That bears unmoved the world's dread frown 
	Nor heeds its scornful smile; 
	That sin's wild ocean cannot drown 
	Nor Satan's arts beguile; 
 
	5. A faith that keeps the narrow way 
	Till life's last spark is fled 
	And with a pure and heavenly ray 
	Lights up the dying bed. 
 
	6. Lord give us such a faith as this; 
	And then, whate'er may come, 
	We'll taste e'en now the hallowed bliss 
	Of an eternal home. 

        

        Notes: 
        Hymn #396 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_ 
        Text: Luke 17:5 
        Author: William H. Bathhurst, 1831, alt. 
        Composer: Alexander R. Reinagle, 1836 
        Tune: "St. Peter"