ROCK OF INFINITE AGES by Lillie E. Barr

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1879

ROCK OF INFINITE AGES.

By Lillie E. Barr

Black and sullen the ocean, Black and sullen the sky; Drifting fast to the leeward, Never a harbor nigh. Rent the sails and the cordage, Torn and shattered the deck; Alas, alas! for the ship, Drifting so fast to wreck.

Ah! but the loss of the ship Is only so much gold; Alas! for the souls that perish, Whose price can ne’er be told. Hark! o’er the whelming waters Cometh their pleading cry,— “Help, Jesus, or we perish! O Christ! O Christ! we die.”

No; though the night grows darker, And over each shrinking soul The cold and angry billows Swifter and swifter roll; No; though the rocks frown blackly, And white foam breaks high; For that cry for “help” has reached The strong One in the sky.

Hopefully through the tempest Chimes out the clear church bell; Out of the black above them A blessed splendor fell; Fell on the Rock of Ages, Fell on the cross of love, Making the midnight waters, White as the wings of a dove.

Joy for the strong, glad spirits, Grasping at once the Rock, Out of the danger and darkness, Out of the tempest and shock, Out of the cruel waters, Out of distressful fright, On to the Rock of Ages, Into the glad, warm light.

Help for the weak and weary! Help, they are sinking fast! Try but to catch their raiment, As they float sadly past. Fear not the storm or danger, Count not the gain or loss; So you can help the drowning, On to the Rock of the cross.

Rock of Infinite Ages! Cross of Infinite Love! Never the waves of sorrow Over thee break above. Always there, there is safety, Always there, we are right; And in the darkest midnight, Always there, there is light.

—Lillie E. Barr, in Christian Weekly.