Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 137

The Same.

1 When the parting bosom bleeds, When our native sh.o.r.e recedes, When the wild and faithless main Takes us to her trust again, Father! view a sailor's woe-- Guide us wheresoe'er we go.

2 When the lonely watch we keep, Silent on the mighty deep, While the boisterous surges hoa.r.s.e Bear us daily on our course, Eye that never slumbers! shed Holy influence on our head.

3 When the Sabbath's peaceful ray, O'er the ocean's breast doth play, Though no throngs a.s.semble there, No sweet church-bell warns to prayer, Spirit! let thy presence be Sabbath to the unresting sea.

4 When in foreign lands we roam, Far from kindred, far from home, Stranger-eyes our conduct view, Heathen-bands our steps pursue, Let our conversation be Fitting those who follow thee.

5 Should pale death, with arrow dread, Make the ocean-cave our bed, Though no eye of love might see Where that shrouded grave shall be-- G.o.d! who hear'st the surges roll, Deign to save the sailor's soul.

830. C. M. Madan's Coll.

Thanksgiving for Deliverance in a Storm.

1 Our little bark, on boisterous seas, By cruel tempests tossed, Without one cheerful beam of hope, Expecting to be lost,--

2 We to the Lord, in humble prayer, Breathed out our sad distress; Though feeble, yet with contrite hearts, We begged return of peace.

3 Then ceased the stormy winds to blow; The surges ceased to roll; And soon again a placid sea Spoke comfort to the soul.

4 O, may our grateful, trembling hearts Their hallelujahs sing To him who hath our lives preserved,-- Our Father and our King.

831. 8s. M. H. F. Gould.

Hymn at Sea.

1 O Thou who hast spread out the skies, And measured the depths of the sea, 'Twixt heavens and ocean shall rise Our incense of praises to thee.

2 We know that thy presence is near While heaves our bark far from the land;-- We ride o'er the deep without fear;-- The waters are held in thy hand.

3 Eternity comes in the sound Of billows that never can sleep!

There's Deity circling us round,-- Omnipotence walks o'er the deep!

4 O Father, our eye is to thee, As on for the haven we roll; And faith in our Pilot shall be An anchor to steady the soul.

832. L. M. Cowper.

Temptation compared to a Storm.

1 The billows swell; the winds are high; Clouds overcast my wintry sky: Out of the depths to thee I call; My fears are great, my strength is small.

2 O Lord, the pilot's part perform, And guide and guard me through the storm; Defend me from each threatening ill; Control the waves: say, "Peace! be still."

833. L. M. L. H. Signourney.

Prayer at Sea.

1 Prayer may be sweet in cottage homes, Where sire and child devoutly kneel, While through the open cas.e.m.e.nt nigh The vernal blossoms fragrant steal.

2 Prayer may be sweet in stately halls, Where heart with kindred heart is blent, And upward to th' eternal throne The hymn of praise melodious sent.

3 But he who fain would know how warm The soul's appeal to G.o.d may be, From friends and native land should turn, A wanderer on the faithless sea;--

4 Should hear its deep, imploring tone Rise heavenward o'er the foaming surge, When billows toss the fragile bark, And fearful blasts the conflict urge.

5 Naught, naught appears but sea and sky; No refuge where the foot may flee: How will he cast, O Rock divine, The anchor of his soul on thee!

834. C. M. Anonymous.

The Sailor's Grave.

1 Not in the church-yard shall he sleep, Amid the silent gloom,-- His home was on the mighty deep, And there shall be his tomb.

2 He loved his own bright, deep blue sea, O'er it he loved to roam; And now his winding sheet shall be That same bright ocean's foam.

3 No village bell shall toll for him Its mournful, solemn dirge; The winds shall chant a requiem To him beneath the surge.

4 For him, break not the gra.s.sy turf, Nor turn the dewy sod; His dust shall rest beneath the surf, His spirit with its G.o.d.

835. C. M. Select Hymns.

Prayer for Seamen.