A dreadful darkness closes in
On my bewildered mind
O let me suffer & not sin
Be tortured yet resigned

Through all this world of blinding mist
Still let me look to thee
And give me courage to resist
The Tempter till he flee

Weary I am - O give me strength
And leave me not to faint
Say thou wilt Comfort me at length
A pity my complaint

I’ve begged to serve thee heart & soul
To sacrifice to thee
No niggard portion but the whole
Of my identity

I hoped amid the brave and strong
My portion task might lie
To toil amid the neighbouring throng
With purpose keen & high

But thou hast fixed another part
And thou hast fixed it well
I said so with my bleeding heart
When first the anguish fell

O thou hast taken my delight
& hope of life away
And bid me watch the painful night
And wait the weary day

The hope & the delight were thine
I bless thee for their loan
I gave to thee while I deemed them mine
Too little thanks I own

Shall I with joy they blessings share
And not endure their loss
Or hope the martyr’s crown to wear
And cast away the cross

These weary hours will not be lost
These days of passive misery
Those nights of darkness anguish-tost
If I can fix my heart on thee

The wretch that weak & weary lies
Crushed with sorrow worn with pain
I may lift to Heaven mine eye
& strive & labour not in vain

That inward strife against the sins
That ever wait on suffering
To strike where-ever first begins
Each ill deed that would corruption bring

That secret labour to sustain
With humble patience every blow
To gather fortitude from Pain
And hope and holiness from Wo

Thus let me serve thee from my heart
What’er be my written fate
Whether thus early to depart
Or yet awhile to wait

If thou shouldst bring me back to life
More humble I should be
More wise more strengthened for the
Strife
More apt to learn from thee

Should Death be standing at the gate
Thus should I keep my vow
But Lord whate’er my future fate
So let me serve you now