BE NEAR ME by Sopha Parker

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1879

BE NEAR ME.

By Sopha Parker

Jesus, Saviour, hear my pleadings, Turn me not away, I pray; Grant to guard me and protect me, Keep me in this trying day. See, the storm is raging round me, Sin's wild waves are swelling high; Take me closer, blessed Saviour, Let me feel thy presence nigh.

Earth is lashed with winds of fury, As they sweep from pole to pole; Sparing not the sea nor ocean, Gathering strength, they onward roll; They are rising higher, higher, Swelling for one dreadful blast; But be near me, O my Saviour, And I'll fear not to the last.

Strong men's hearts are quailing, failing, As they faint and fearful grow; For the omens thickly gather Of that day of death and woe; And they grow more wild and reckless, Restless as the foaming sea. Yet if thou art near, dear Saviour, All will joyful, peaceful be.

Hark the groanings of the nations, As they totter to and fro, On their reeling structures waiting For their final overthrow, Stirred as to their very center 'Mid the din and clash of arms; Still if thou art near, dear Saviour, I'll not start at war's alarms.

Dark forebodings gather round them, Deeds of violence, who can tell? See them bathed in death and anguish, Sinking, while their armies swell; Watch them as their hopes grow fainter, Hear that sad and mournful cry, Then, O Saviour, be thou near me Till the tempest has passed by!

When the storms have all passed over, When their ragings all are done, May the ones I love so dearly Gather in thy heavenly home; There may we in sweet reunion Join the songs of Heaven above, And be near thee, blessed Saviour, Oft to sing redeeming love.

SOPHA PARKER.