A Struggle by J. R. De Spain

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 23, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 37.

A Struggle

By J. R. De Spain

The strength required to burst apart From habits formed through weary years, When sense of duty bids thee start, But love of sin within thy heart Still bids thee cling, like thirsty leech, To evil e'er within thy reach, Thy God hath promised to impart When Satan in thy path appears,

The strength required to break the chain Which life and habit but evolves, That sin has forged, and which has lain In each paternal sire's brain, Since fiendish imps at first began Thy fall in secret sin to plan, Is promised thee in word so plain, It all upon thy will devolves.

But what means this, thy will to yield, When every look or touch reveals Some deep-wrought passion Satan wields, Like summer breeze on ripening fields, To swerve thy life from virtue's path, Till in remorse and fear of wrath Thou in confusion drop the shield That to thy God by faith appeals?

When passion has thy master been, Till every pure and noble thought Seems withered by the scorch of sin, That burns, and burns, and burns, within, Till tender motives, love, and grace, Seem withered, too, and in their place The thorns of lust and hate are seen, That in God's likeness have been wrought;

When battles rage within thy heart; When sins for which thou wast prepared, Appeal to thee with subtle art, Bid thee in them again take part, And when thou knowest but remorse Will follow if thou take this course, And deepest joy if thou depart, Ask Him who all thy woes hath shared:

Have mercy upon me, O God, I implore, Purge me with hyssop, and cleansed shall I be, According to mercy Thy likeness restore. A spirit that's contrite Thou wilt not deplore, For I acknowledge my transgressions; so Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Where sin and iniquity withered before, Put mercy, forgiveness, praise unto Thee.