p. 30 | OUR CRAFT IS SMALL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 19, 1877

OUR CRAFT IS SMALL.

When the hardy Norwegian puts out to sea, With his sails well trimmed, and the rocks a lee, Ere upon his sight the land grows dim, He chants for protection this well-worn hymn, “God help us all, whatever befall, For thy ocean is vast, and our craft is small.”

So ever as dashes the ocean’s wave With a tried, true soul, and a heart as brave, He looks aloft, through the rack of the storm, And pierces the void for a harmless form, For he knows and feels, whatever befall, That God is large, though his craft is small.

Take courage, toiler, where’er thou art, From this humble soul and this dauntless heart. When thy life grows drear, and thy hope grows dim, Lift thine eyes above,—put thy trust in Him; And feel and know, whatever may be, ’Tis a Father’s arm encircles thee.

And thou, too, O Christian,—a heavy cross May bear thee down, and the worthless dross Of this world encumber thy upward way; Still let this thought be thy hope and stay, Through each earthly snare, a Father’s care His trusting child shall in safety bear.

God help us all in this voyage of life: God keep us pure from its stain and strife; And wherever may dash the angry wave, Teach us to say, with a spirit brave, God help us all, whatever befall, For thou art so vast, and we so small.

—Christian Weekly.