p. 10 | Life's Struggles by E. W. Darling

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 6, 1864

Life's Struggles.

By E. W. Darling

LOVELY Jesus, blessed One, Chiefest of ten thousand joys, Thou my wayward soul didst gain, To a wise and noble choice. When in childhood days I turned From the world to follow thee, In thy sacred word I learned Thou didst ask my heart of me.

And my carnal nature sighed That my passions might be free; But the willing spirit cried, I will yield my heart to thee. Hard but short the struggle then, The decision quickly made, Great the victory I did gain, By thy blessing, and thy aid.

Yet in after life I found, Like a soldier of thy host I must fight to keep the ground, Or my victory would be lost. When a child I gave to thee All I had or hoped to have, Yet my life has not been free, Struggles come and trials grieve.

And I still keep yielding up, Though it wring like tears of blood, Some new idol, some new hope, On the altar of my God. Even now a blighting shade, O'er my spirit creeps apace; What I cherish most must fade, Leaving but a vacant place.

This thou dost require of me, Hardest struggle I have passed; But I know that it must be, I must yield it up at last. For there's naught of earth shall part, Though the tears of sadness flow, Me from thee, thee from my heart; This I purposed long ago.

I would not with fondness cling, But I wait for strength from thee, With a willing heart to bring, What thou dost require of me. Future trials not a few, Will in heavy measure come; But I hope to struggle through To the joy and rest of home. E. W. DARLING.