Night around us, strife within- O forbid that it should be;
Oh the pain, the sting of sin! Draw our foolish hearts to Thee;
Have we in our rife discord Teach us what becometh us,
Ceased to look for Thee, O Lord? In the presence of Thy cross.
Fellow pilgrim mid earth's tumult,
What have we to fear?
Hastening through as those who're traveling
To a brighter sphere;
What to us is earth's reward,
If we're looking for the Lord?
Oh, to look with earnest longing
Toward that glorious goal;
All our ways, our heart, our service,
Under Christ's control-
Harkening for the quickening word,
While we're looking for the Lord.
Keeping all our robes unspotted,
From earth's dust, and soil ;
Ever, like the blessed Master,
From its ways recoil;
Guided by His faithful word,
While we're waiting for the Lord.
Choosing not our heart companions
From its faithless show;
Walking so,-the world beholding
Without doubt might know
And confess, with one accord,
That we're looking for the Lord. ,
And our place beside His table-
E'er a blest retreat,
Where the heart delights recalling
Memories sad and sweet-
Worship to His Name accord,
While we're waiting for the Lord.
Time is passing, and His promise
He must soon fulfil
By His presence; may He find us
Subject to His will.
This will peace and joy afford,
While we're waiting for the Lord.
Would Thy Church might thus be waiting,
-But, alas, she's not;
For the "wolf," the world, and Satan,
Ruin sad have wrought.
Sweet His smile,-her blest reward,
Were she looking for the Lord.
Yet, within her pale how many
'Neath this sorrow cry !
Owning all the shame, yet seeking
Not to justify;
Bowing 'neath Thy righteous word,
Longing for Thy coming, Lord.
Sing, my soul! the night now deepening
Tells of coming day !
When the sorrow and the waiting
Shall have passed away;
And with thee, in perfect grace,
All the journey He'll retrace.
Sing the song of thy releasing ;
Let thy heart not fail
Just before the day is dawning !
It will naught avail
Losing courage; wield the sword,
Whilst thou art waiting for the Lord.
H. McD.