Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: Through tribulations deep the way to glory lies
Topic: <no topic given>
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Tune:
Hymn Number: 354
Page Number: 348, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsThrough tribulations deep the way to glory lies,
This stormy course I'd keep on the tempestuous seas;
By winds and waves I'm tost and driven,
Freighted with Grace, and bound for heaven.
Sometimes temptations blow a dreadful hurricane,
And high the waters flow, and o'er the side break in;
But still my little ship outbraves
The blustering winds and tow'ring waves.
When I in my distress my anchor, hope, can cast
Within the promises, it holds my vessel fast:
Safely she then at anchor rides,
'Midst stormy blasts and swelling tides.
If a dead calm ensues, and heaven no breezes give,
The oar of prayer I'd use, and tug and toil, and strive;
Thro' storms and calms for many days,
I make but very little ways.
But when a heavenly breeze springs up and fills my sail,
My vessel goes with ease before the pleasant gale,
And runs as much an hour or more,
As in a month or two before.
Hid by the clouds from sight, the sun doth not appear;
Nor can I in the night, behold the moon or stars.
Sometimes for days, or weeks or more,
I cannot see the sky or shore.
As at the time of noon my quadrant, faith, I take,
To view my Christ, my sun, if he the coulds should break;
I'm happy when his face I see,
I know then where abouts I be.
My Bible is my chart; by it the seas I know;
I cannot with it part -- it rocks and sands doth show;
It is my chart and compass too,
Whose needle points forever true.
I'd keep aloof from pride, the rocks I'd shun with care,
I'd studiously avoid the whirlpool of despair;
Presumption's quicksands too I'd shun,
Near them I do not choose to run.
When through a strait I go, or near some Island drove,
The plummet faith I'd throw, and thus my safety prove;
My conscience is the line which I
Fathom the depth of water by.
My vessel would be lost in spite of all my care,
But that teh Holy Ghost himself vouch safes to steer;
And thro' my voyage he always will
Be my dear faithful steersman still.
And e'er I reach the coast, a gulph I must passs through,
Which fatal proves to most, for all the passage go;
But all death's waves can't me o'er whelm,
If God himself is at the helm.
When through this gulph I get, tho' rough it is but short,
The pilot angels meet to bring me into port,
And when I land on that blest shore,
I shall be safe forever more.