Long had I prayed, long had I wept,
No comfort o’er my spirit crept,
Till meek and penitent with grief,
I looked to Jesus for relief;
“What shall I do ?” in anguish cried;
A tender, loving voice replied,
“If thou wilt my disciple be,
Take up thy cross, and follow me.”
Blest Saviour, since that happy hour,
Oft have I felt the tempter’s power,
To lure me from the heavenly road,
So narrow and so little trod;
For worldly wisdom turns away,
To tread the broad and flowery way;
But ah I knew this flowery path
Led down to everlasting death!
The rugged, thorny path I viewed,
And oft irresolute I stood.
The worldly throng seemed glad and gay,
And Pleasure beckoned me to stay:
“Come taste this cup of joy,” said she,
“These fairy flowers I’ll twine for thee,
Why should’st thou spend youth’s spring-time gay
In toiling up that rugged way ?”
How oft I yielded to the spell,
My aching heart recalls too well.
The withered flowers I might forget,
But ah! the thorns, I feel them yet!
The cup that I so madly sought,
I found with sad repentance fraught;
And I reviewed the misspent years,
With bitter, self-upbraiding tears.
Then half-despairing, half in hope,
Saviour, I dared to thee look up,
And in my darkness and despair,
I saw a gleam of pity there.
In accents gentle, but severe,
Again these words fell on, my ear;
“If thou wilt my disciple be,
Take up thy cross, and follow me.”
Dear Saviour, up the rugged way,
I strive to toil from day to day;
A light upon the path has shone,
Strengthened and cheered, I’m pressing on;
My heart is fixed the end to see,
Where fadeless joys are waiting me;
What care I for the worldling’s frown ?
Brighter will shine the immortal crown.
Press on ! press on ! ye worn and faint !
Rest soon will soothe the weary saint.
There’s one sweet hope our hearts to cheer,
Redemption’s day is drawing near.
A voice rings on the startled air
In thunder tones, “Prepare! prepare !
Ye soon shall my salvation see,
Who faithfully have followed me.”
B.C. FARRAR
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Aug. 12, 1862
NOTE: For those of younger years, the word “Gay” has changed meaning.
Webster’s 1828 — Gay — Merry; airy; jovial; sportive; frolicksome.
It denotes more life and animation than cheerful.