Oh God! my heart is thine,
Content, am I in Thee;
Thy chast'ning rod but proves,
That Thou, abides with me.

I know Thou leadeth on,
But oh, the way is drear;
Naught, but the click of thorns,
Is sounding in my ear.

I cry, " Thy will be done!"
My heart is with the cry;
Yet comes not light, nor peace,
To soothe my tear-dim eye.

My heart craves earthly things;
I feel its nature's claim;
Since Thou didst give me life,
Canst I discard an aim?

The hot blood stirs my brain,
And sweet dreams to me flock:
Alas! I see them wrecked,
Upon Ambition's rock.

Oh Christ! Come down to earth,
An elder brother, be;
And pilot Thou, my barque,
Which drifts, capriciously.

Oh wrench me from the toils,
Of this entangled mesh!
My spirit strives for Thee,
Despite the erring flesh.