Alone, alone I tread the shore
Where surges beat forevermore
With deaf’ning, hollow wail;
The sky, o’ercast with angry frown,
Doth drop the loaded clouds, low down,
To beat me with their hail.
And, helpless here upon the strand
With no out-reaching friendly hand,
I face the roaring sea.
With reverent love my soul is stirred,
And seeking TRUTH within Thy word
I come, dear Lord, to Thee.
Aye, take my hand in thine Oh, God!
And lead me, where Thine own have trod,
By waters, pure and sweet.
O, send thy Comforter to calm
The aching heart with holy balm,
And keep me at thy feet!
Nature’s gift had been more kind
If a pulpy, plastic mind,
To fit, with ease, their mold;
Then self-assumed, “straight orthodox”
Had gathered me, with petted flocks,
Within the church’s fold.
O, loving Christ! Am I not thine?
And Thy disciples, truly mine,
Each my sister or my brother,
By the heritage of heaven—
By the new commandment given,
That we all love one another?
O, help me Lord with thee to pray!—
“Forgive them Father,” Thou didst say,
“They know not what they do.”
May sheltering love, dear Lord, be mine—
O, keep my life thine, only thine,
My soul to conscience true!