The Pilgrim's Wants

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1875

The Pilgrim's Wants.

I WANT that adorning divine, Thou only, my God, canst bestow; I want in those beautiful garments to shine Which distinguish thy household below. I want, every moment to feel That thy Spirit resides in my heart, That thy power is ready to cleanse and to heal, And newness of life to impart. I want, oh! I want to attain More likeness, my Saviour, to thee; That longed for resemblance to gain, Thy comeliness put upon me. I want to be marked for thine own; Thy seal on my forehead to wear; To receive that "new name" on the mystic white stone, Which none but thyself can declare. I want thine own hand to unbind Each tie to terrestrial things, Too tenderly cherished, too closely entwined, When my heart too tenaciously clings. I want by my aspect serene, My actions and words to declare That my treasure is placed in a country unseen, That my heart's best affections are there. I want as a traveler to haste Straight onward, nor pause in my way, Nor forethought, nor anxious contrivance to waste On the tent only pitched for a day. I want—and this sums up my prayer— To glorify thee till I die, Then calmly to yield up my soul to thy care, And breathe out in faith my last sigh. —Sel.