Hebrews Xii. 2. Poem by Mary Anne Browne

WHEREFORE droops thy trembling soul?
Wherefore saddened is thy brow?
Clouds around thy pathway roll,
But thy God is present now.
Raise thine eyes, the cross is there;
Stedfast still, though tempests frown,
Lift thy head, and make thy prayer,
Claim the Saviour for thine own;
Make through Him thy deep appeal,
Looking unto Jesus, kneel.

He, the Author of the faith,
Which thy spirit shall renew;
In his sacred hour of death,
Finished thy salvation too;
Learn thy Saviour's power to see,
He the Light, the Truth, the Way,
Interceded even for thee,
Ere thy heart had learnt to pray;
Lift thy heart, and lift thy hand,
Looking unto Jesus, stand.

When the water-floods of grief,
Round thy helpless head shall rise,
When there seemeth no relief,
Look towards th' eternal skies;
There behold how radiantly
Beams the Star of Faith divine;
Yesterday it shone for thee,
And to-day it still will shine;
Ask no aid the world can give,
Looking unto Jesus, live.

When thou feel'st, by many a token,
That the flesh shall soon decay,
And the 'golden bowl' be broken,
And the 'silver cord' give way;
Then beyond the darksome veil,
Trust that He thine eyes shall bless;
As the light of life shall fail,
Keep the Sun of Righteousness!
Ever brightening in thine eye,
And looking unto Jesus, die!