A single unattributed stanza of a hymn quoted in Spurgeon's Morning and Evening sent several members of our church staff on a determined hunt. Lo and behold, the quote turned out to be the fifth stanza of a hymn by William Cowper: "O for a Closer Walk with God." Quoted here in full, I think you'll see why our office was in such a frenzy to find it today:
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heav'nly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Where is that blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soulrefreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their mem'ry still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Serene and calm my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
2 comments:
This hymn is one of the often-requested favorites at my church! The fifth verse is especially meaningful for me.
Thanks for sharing it on your blog. (I'm a "first-time commenter," having recently added your blog to my Bloglines reads...)
~Esther
This hymn is one that I remember so well from my youth. I still stand in amazement at the promise.
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