Classic Poem

Lord! tho' unworthy of thy gracious care
Thou'st given my soul immortal hopes to share,
When feeble flesh and all its strength decays
Oh may I sing in Heaven thy glorious praise!
And worship with the pow'rs thy mercy gave
That Heav'nly Lamb who came on earth to save!
Oh may I join the joyful saints above
And sing in raptures of redeeming love!

Then what is earth?—ye saints—for ye can tell—
He knew it once and knew its dangers well.
The shipwreck'd matiner who mercy saves
In from the dreadful flame or raging waves
When some sweet home at last, his sight allure,
Feels not a joy an ecstasy like yours—
Oh say!—can ages now His praise proclaim
Who sav'd you from despair, from guilt and shame
To speak His praise in vain would time presume.
Then let Eternity supply its room!—
Canst not thou bear the view oh wretched man?
Exalt thy wishes, and enlarge thy plan,
Surpriz'd, abash'd thy guilt—thy nature see,
Deplore thy chains, and struggle to be free!
Then finding foes which mock thy vain controul,
Give to the Lord of life thy conquer'd soul!
And own when all thy task is feebly done
Salvation comes by God's eternal Son.