Wherever I go, whate'er my task, The counsel of my God I ask, Who all things hath and can; Unless He give both thought and deed The utmost pains can ne'er succeed, And vain the wisest plan. | For what can all my toil avail? My care, my watching all must fail, Unless my God is there; Then let Him order all for me As He in wisdom shall decree; On Him I cast my care. | For nought can come, as nought hath been, But what my Father hath foreseen, And what shall work my good; Whate'er He gives me I will take, Whate'er He chooses I will make My choice with thankful mood. | I lean upon His mighty arm, It shields me well from every harm, 109 All evil shall avert; If by His precepts still I live Whate'er is useful He will give, And nought shall do me hurt. | But only may He of His grace The record of my guilt efface, And wipe out all my debt; Though I have sinn'd He will not straight Pronounce His judgment, He will wait, Have patience with me yet. | I travel to a distant land To serve the post wherein I stand, Which He hath bade me fill; And He will bless me with His light, That I may serve His world aright, And make me know His will. | And though through desert wilds I fare, Yet Christian friends are with me there, And Christ Himself is near; In all our dangers He will come, And He who kept me safe at home, Can keep me safely here. | Yes, He will speed us on our way, And point us where to go and stay, And help us still and lead; Let us in health and safety live, And time and wind and weather give, And whatsoe'er we need. | 110 When late at night my rest I take, When early in the morn I wake, Halting or on my way, In hours of weakness or in bonds, When vex'd with fears my heart desponds, His promise is my stay. | Since then my course is traced by Him I will not fear that future dim, But go to meet my doom, Well knowing nought can wait me there Too hard for me through Him to bear; I yet shall overcome. | To Him myself I wholly give, At His command I die or live, I trust His love and power: Whether to-morrow or to-day His summons come, I will obey, He knows the proper hour. | But if it please that love most kind, And if this voice within my mind Be whispering not in vain, I yet shall praise my God ere long In many a sweet and joyful song, In peace at home again. | To those I love will He be near, With His consoling light appear, Who is my shield and theirs; And He will grant beyond our thought 111 What they and I alike have sought With many tearful prayers. | Then, O my soul, be ne'er afraid, On Him who thee and all things made With calm reliance rest; Whate'er may come, where'er we go, Our Father in the heavens must know In all things what is best. | |