Classic Poem

Thank God Who spared me what I feared!
Once more I gird myself to run.
Thy promise stands, Thou Faithful One.
Horror of darkness disappeared
At length; once more I see the sun,

And dare to wait in hope for Spring,
To face and bear the Winter's cold:
The dead cocoon shall yet unfold
And give to light the living wing;
There's hidden sap beneath the mould.

My God, how could my courage flag
So long as Thou art still the same?
For what were labour, failure, shame,
Whilst Thy sure promise doth not lag
And Thou dost shield me with Thy Name?

Yet am I weak, my faith is weak,
My heart is weak that pleads with Thee:
O Thou That art not far to seek
Turn to me, hearken when I speak,
Stretch forth Thy Hand to succour me.

Thro' many perils have I pass'd,
Deaths, plagues, and wonders, have I seen:
Till now Thy Hand hath held me fast:
Lord help me, hold me, to the last;
Still be what Thou hast always been.

Open Thy Heart of Love to me,
Give me Thyself, keep nothing back
Even as I give myself to Thee.
Love paid by Love doth nothing lack,
And Love to pay Love is not slack.

Love doth so grace and dignify
That beggars sue as King with King
Before the Throne of Grace on high:
My God, be gracious to my cry;
My God, accept what gift I bring:

A heart that loves; tho' soiled and bruised,
Yet chosen by Thee in time of yore:
Who ever came and was refused
By Thee? Do, Lord, as Thou art used
To do, and make me love Thee more.