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My Refuge (Ps. 91:15)

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 1.

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My Refuge (Ps. 91:15)

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE
ONE day across my path there stalked A hideous specter dark and dread; My heart was chilled; he only mocked; I dared not raise my coward head. My soul seemed crushed; I could not sing; My life—a wasted, worthless thing.
And then a mocking voice I heard: “Give up, give up thy faith in God!” The night winds caught the awful word, And echoes sounded it abroad. The starless heavens gave no light; My day had turned to blackest night.
Then to the specter grim I turned: “Tell me, I pray thee, what thy name?” With withering stroke my form he spurned As quick the doleful answer came (His smile was such as demons wear): “Mortal, my name is dark Despair.
“And I am come for thee; thy soul I claim as mine; thou needst not pray; Thy sins like ’whelming billows roll; Thou’st sinned ’gainst Heaven every day; ’Twere only vain to plead His grace; Behold, thy God hath hid his face.
“See; he afflicteth thee; behold, Thy best beloved lies low in death; He gives thee neither friend nor gold, And cutteth short thy flickering breath. ’Twere vain to seek his favor; see, Though thou hast sought to serve him, he Hath sent no word of cheer to thee.”
I thought to pray: my throat was bound, My tongue was parched, my strength was spent; My quivering lips gave forth no sound; Black grew the very firmament.
And then the specter stooped to throw His inky mantle round my heart; His shadow blacker seemed to grow; I could not bid the fiend depart. In cheerless, hopeless misery I crouched before him helplessly.
Then, sudden, through the heavens afar, I saw a rugged cross shine out, And through the gleaming gates ajar I heard a thousand voices shout: *“Behold the love that died for thee! Behold the cross of Calvary!”*
Then quick the demon took his flight; Before that cross he could not stand. My darkness changed to beaming light; I reached and grasped my Saviour’s hand.
By dumb Despair no more oppressed, I found sweet peace and joy and rest.
Lansing, Mich.