Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

  Eternal Power, of earth and air!
     Unseen, yet seen in all around,
     Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
     Though silent, heard in every sound;

     If e'er thine ear in mercy bent,
     When wretched mortals cried to Thee,
     And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,
     To save lost sinners such as me:

     Then hear me now, while kneeling here,
     I lift to thee my heart and eye,
     And all my soul ascends in prayer,
     OH, GIVE ME—GIVE ME FAITH! I cry.

     Without some glimmering in my heart,
     I could not raise this fervent prayer;
     But, oh! a stronger light impart,
     And in Thy mercy fix it there.

     While Faith is with me, I am blest;
     It turns my darkest night to day;
     But while I clasp it to my breast,
     I often feel it slide away.

     Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,
     To see my light of life depart;
     And every fiend of Hell, methinks,
     Enjoys the anguish of my heart.

     What shall I do, if all my love,
     My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
     And if there be no God above,
     To hear and bless me when I pray?

     If this be vain delusion all,
     If death be an eternal sleep,
     And none can hear my secret call,
     Or see the silent tears I weep!

     Oh, help me, God! For thou alone
     Canst my distracted soul relieve;
     Forsake it not:  it is thine own,
     Though weak, yet longing to believe.

     Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;
     And make me know, that Thou art God!
     A faith, that shines by night and day,
     Will lighten every earthly load.

     If I believe that Jesus died,
     And waking, rose to reign above;
     Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,
     Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.

     And all the blessed words He said
     Will strength and holy joy impart:
     A shield of safety o'er my head,
     A spring of comfort in my heart.