Love of God

Yes I love thee, and thy holy name

To me is dearer far, than even life;

Thou great Jehovah, even still the same;

In thy calm bosom there's no burning strife:

But in this heart is held a conflict dire,

Between my love for thee, and passions' pow'r;

Passions which burst like Etna's towering fire,

And threaten my destruction in an hour,

And then shoulds't thy lov'd spirit cease to strive-

Where were my hope? no anchor to the soul,

No helm to guide; tempest wild would drive

But thou art ever gracious, ever kind;

Thy gentle hand to man is stretch'd out still,

Thy spirit calms the anguish of his mind,

And guides him by thy wise and sovereign will;

Compels him not, by arbitrary power,

But gently leads him on in wisdom's ways;

Showers him the errors of his former course,

Illuminates his path by heavenly rays.

Who but must love the Parent faithful friend

And tho' e'en life is dear, yet love the more;

Love, praise, and serve thee, always to the W. L.