174   O FOR A FAITH




[V1]


O for a faith that will not shrink,
Tho’ pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink,
Of poverty or woe.

[V2]
That will not murmur or complain,
Beneath the chast’ning rod;
But in the hour of grief or pain,
Can lean upon its God.

[V3]
A faith that shines more bright and clear,
When rage without;
Then when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

[V4]
That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown,
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sins wild ocean cannot drown,
Nor its soft arts beguile.

[V5]
Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then what’er may come;
I’ll taste e’en here the hallowed bliss,
Of eternal home.