There is a safe and secret place, Beneath the wings divine, Reserved for all the heirs of grace: O be that refuge mine!
The least and feeblest there may bide, Uninjured and unawed; While thousands fall on every side, He rests secure in God.
He feeds in pastures large and fair Of love and trust divine; O child of God, O glory's heir, How rich a lot is thine!
A hand almighty to defend, An ear for every call, An honored life, a peaceful end, And heaven to crown it all!
Our Father! through the coming year We know not what shall be; But we would leave without a fear Its ordering all to thee.
It may be we shall toil in vain For what the world holds fair; And all the good we thought to gain Deceive, and prove but care.
It may be it shall darkly blend Our love with anxious fears, And snatch away the valued friend, The tried of many years.
It may be it shall bring us days And nights of lingering pain; And bid us take a farewell gaze Of these loved haunts of men.
But calmly, Lord, on thee we rest; No fears our trust shall move; Thou knowest what for each is best, And thou art Perfect Love.
Forever in their Lord abiding Who can their gladness tell; Within his love forever hiding, They feel that all is well.
I know no life divided, O Lord of life, from thee; In thee is life provided For all mankind and me: I know no death, O Jesus, Because I live in thee; Thy death it is which frees us From death eternally.
I fear no tribulation, Since, whatsoe'er it be, It makes no separation Between my Lord and me. If thou, my God and Teacher, Vouchsafe to be my own, Though poor, I shall be richer Than monarch on his throne.
If while on earth I wander My heart is light and blest, Ah, what shall I be yonder, In perfect peace and rest? O blessed thought! in dying We go to meet the Lord, Where there shall be no sighing, A kingdom our reward.
I say it over and over, and yet again to-day, It rests my heart as surely as it did yesterday: It is the Lord's appointment; Whatever my work may be, I am sure in my heart of hearts He has offered it to me.
I must say it over and over, and again to-day For my work is different from that of yesterday: It is the Lord's appointment; It quiets my restless will Like the voice of a tender mother, And my heart and will are still.