I cannot give it up,

The little world I know!

The innocent delights of youth,

The things I cherish so! ‘Tis
true,

I love my Lord

And want to do His will,

And oh, I may enjoy the world

And be a Christian still!

 

I love the hour of prayer,

I love the hymns of praise,

I love the blessed Word that
tells

Of God’s redeeming grace,

But I am human still;

And while I dwell on earth

God surely will not grudge the
hours

I spend in harmless mirth.

 

These things belong to youth,

And are its natural right —

My dress, my pastimes, and my
friends,

The merry and the bright.

My Father’s heart is kind;

He will not count it ill

That my small corner of the
world

Should please and hold me still.

 

And yet, "outside the
camp,"

‘Twas there my Saviour died!

It was the world that
cast Him forth,

And saw Him crucified.

Can I take part with those

Who nailed Him to the tree?

And where His name is never
praised

Is there the place for me?

 

Nay, world! I turn away,

Though thou seem’st fair and
good;

That friendly outstretched hand
of thine

Is stained with Jesus’ blood.

If in thy least device

I stoop to take a part,

All unaware, thine influence
steals

God’s presence from my heart.

 

I miss my Saviour’s smile

Whene’er I walk thy ways;

Thy laughter drowns the Spirit’s
voice

And chokes the springs of
praise.

If e’er I turn aside

To join thee for an hour,

The face of Christ grows blurred
and dim

And prayer has lost its power!

 

Farewell! Henceforth my place

Is with the Lamb who died.

My Sovereign! While I have Thy
love,

What can I want beside? Thyself,
dear Lord, art now

My free and loving choice,

"In whom, though now I see
Thee not,

Believing, I rejoice!"

 

Shame on me that I sought

Another joy than this,

Or dreamt a heart at rest with
Thee

Could crave for earthly bliss!

These vain and worthless things,

I put them all aside;

His goodness fills my longing soul,

And I am satisfied.

 

Lord Jesus! let me dwell

"Outside the camp,"
with Thee.

Since Thou art there,
then there alone

Is peace and home for me.

Thy dear reproach to bear

I’ll count my highest gain,

Till Thou return, my banished
King,

To take
Thy power, and reign!