Upward to Thee by Mrs. C. L. G. M.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jul 11, 1878

Upward to Thee.

By Mrs. C. L. G. M.

DARK clouds had gathered o'er my way, And unknown paths before me lay, While tangled briers flourished where Sweet flowers once bloomed in beauty rare.

Misfortunes crowded in my track; Joys vanished I could not call back; Snares waited for my weary feet, And dangers loom'd I dared not meet.

My friends forsook in time of need; No kindly hand to aid or lead; Weary, tempted, and despairing, None I thought for me was caring.

The night came on, the fearful night! Lost! lost! no help, no guide, no light! Lost in sorrow's night of darkness; Lost in temptation's wilderness.

A voice then whispered, "God is here;" Strange I'd forgotten, in my fear, One who is ever near to aid; Then eagerly I knelt and prayed—

"Father, let not thy sinful child Now perish in the fearful wild; Reach down, I pray, thy hand to me, And lead me safely up to thee."

A heavenly light around me shone, I felt a strong arm round me thrown, And far away, O, blessed sight! Arose to view a city bright.

The tempter vanished when I knelt; No longer fear or pain I felt; The vision of the shining goal New hope breathed in my fainting soul.

Upheld by that Almighty Arm, No earthly ills can do me harm; Where erst so dark, now sunlight gleams, And all the way with beauty beams.

A song of praise my glad heart sings, And faith gives eyes and hope gives wings; So ever upward mounts my soul Toward heaven, its final blissful goal. —Mrs. C. L. G. M.