ENCOURAGEMENT TO BELIEVERS.
TRAVELER through this vale of tears,
Art thou tried with doubts and fears?
Does the tempter still assail,
Till thou think'st he must prevail?
Do the clouds that intervene
Dim the light thou once hast seen?
Dost thou fear thy faith is gone?
And that thou art left alone,
A traveler on life's dreary coast
Thy guide and comfort nearly lost? Hear a fellow traveler's lay!
One who hath trod the painful way,
Who in the journey he hath passed,
Has met with many a bitter blast;
Upon whose head the storm has beat,
While many a thorn has pierced his feet;
But matchless mercy hitherto,
Hath interposed and brought him through,
And hath enabled him to raise
At times, the cheerful song of praise. In patience then possess thy soul,
Stand still! for while the thunders roll,
Thy Saviour sees thee through the gloom,
And will to thy assistance come.
His love and mercy will be shown
To those who trust in him alone,
Trust, humbly trust in his defense,
Preserve thy hope and confidence;
To him apply in fervent prayer,
On him in faith cast all thy care. Then will the tempest pass away,
Then will the night give place to day;
And thou rejoicingly wilt find
Those trials wisely were designed
To subject every wish of thine,
Completely to the Will Divine;
To fix thy heart on things above—
To fill thy soul with heavenly love—
And through the power of mighty grace,
To fit thee for the glorious place,
Where saints and angels round the throne,
For ever sing, "Thy will be done."