O Jesus! Friend unfailing!
How dear art thou to me!
Are cares or fears assailing!
I find my strength in thee!
Why should my feet grow weary
Of this my pilgrim way?
Rough though the path and dreary,
It ends in perfect day!
Naught, naught I court as pleasure,
Compared, Ο Christ, with Thee!
Thy sorrow without measure
Earn’d peace and joy for me!
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
Thy claims o’er me divine,
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
Whose can I be but Thine?
Why should I droop in sorrow?
Thou’rt ever by my side!
Why, trembling, dread the morrow?
What ill can e’er betide? If I my cross have taken,
‘Tis but to follow Thee; If scorn’d, despised, forsaken,
Naught severs Thee from me!
Ο worldly pomp and glory!
Your charms are spread in vain!
I’ve heard a sweeter story!
I’ve found a truer gain!
Where Christ a place prepareth,
There is my loved abode!
There shall I gaze on Jesus!
There shall I dwell with God!
For every tribulation.
For every sore distress,
In Christ I’ve full salvation,
Sure help and quiet rest.
No fear of foes prevailing!
I triumph, Lord, in Thee!
Ο Jesus! Friend unfailing!
How dear thou art to me!
Η. Κ B. E.
Berlin Gerunbuch.