The One Refuge.
By Pamela S. Vining, (J. C. Yule)
I.
Storms gather o'er thy path,
Christian! - the sullen, tempest-darkened sky
Grows lurid with the elemental wrath, -
Say, whither wilt thou fly?
God is my Refuge! - let the tempests come,
They will but speed me sooner to my home!
II.
Night lowers in sullen gloom,
Christian! - a long, dark night awaiteth thee,
Dreary as Egypt's night of fear and doom, -
Where will thy hiding be?
God is my refuge! - in the dreary night
In Him I dwell, and have abundant light!
III.
Thine is a lonely way,
Christian! - and dangers all thy path infest;
Pitfalls and snares crowd all thy doubtful way, -
Where is thy place of rest?
God is my Refuge! - safe in Him I move,
And feel no fear, kept by sustaining Love.
IV.
The grave - that dreary place,
Christian, the lonely dwelling in the dust
Awaits thee; 'tis the doom of all thy race, -
Where, then, shall be thy trust?
God is my refuge! Sweet will be my rest
On the dear pillow that my Saviour pressed!
V.
Alas! - that dreamless sleep -
Christian, its chains are strong, and hard to break;
All thy belov'd sleep on in silence deep,
And dost thou hope to wake?
God is my refuge! I shall wake and sing -
"O grave! where is thy vict'ry? - death thy sting?"