Sad with longing, sick with fears, Toward Emmaus slowly go Two whose eyes are dim with tears, And their hearts oppress'd with wo, Of their ruin'd hopes they talk; Yet while thus they sadly walk, Jesus is not far away, And their fears shall soon allay. | Ah! and still how many a heart Onward toils in silent grief, Mourning o'er its woes apart, Hopeless now of all relief; 44 Oft it seeks to walk alone, But to weep its fill unknown; Yet my Jesus cometh now, Asking, wherefore weepest thou? | Many a time I've felt indeed That He leaves me ne'er alone, In the hour of utmost need Then Himself He maketh known; When in sorrow I consume As though He no more could come, Lo! I find Him more than near, Quickly with His help He's here. | Truest Friend, who canst not fail me, Evermore abide with me; When the world would most assail me, Then Thy presence let me see; When its heaviest thunders roll, Shelter Thou my trembling soul, Come and in my spirit rest, I will do what seems Thee best. | When I dread some coming ill, Lord, then bid me think of this, That my Saviour loves me still, And that I am surely His: More of Thy word let me learn, Till my heart within me burn, Fill'd with love, and in Thy Light Learn to know her Lord aright. | 45 Comfort those who, fill'd with gloom, Lonely on their journey go, Or within their silent room Cry to Thee from depths of wo; When they leave the world apart, There to weep out all their heart, Let them hear Thy whisper mild; Wherefore dost thou mourn, my child? | When life's day hath fleeted by, When the night of death is near, When in vain the darken'd eye Seeks some stay, some helper here: Then Thy followers' prayer fulfil, Then abide Thou with us still, Till Thou give us peace and rest Stay, O stay, Thou noble guest! | |