Far, far, From me my comrades in the war, And this doth much my courage mar: Haste in thy car of strength, O Lord! With thine own sword my foes confound: Then all the year round I'll trust thy word. XXV. THE DAILY CROSS. And must the cross attend my way, And load my spirit night and day? Lord, if it must, make me content: Help me to keep the end in view, And sing through fire and water too, Until my span of life be spent. Oft I recall thy faithful love-- The comfort promised from above-- The legacy Thou gavest--peace: Impart from day to day to me That peace, that comfort, Lord, and see That with my strength my cross decrease. If to the east or west I go. None true like Him on earth I know, He makes my fainting spirit strong: If His bright face upon me shine, I can the world and self resign: My crosses then become my song. XXVI. THE CROSS A CROWN. My Lord with his affliction, His cross and bitter pain, Affords me joy while living, And dying will be gain. In his reproach is honour, In his rude cross a crown, And in his love a treasure Surpassing all renown. XXVII. EARLY HOPES. In the morning I expected, That I should long, long ere now, All my eager foes have conquered, That a crown should grace my brow War and tumult, Still distress my wearied ears. In an agony of longing, I await the signal day, When my fetters shall be broken, When from earth I fly away; And for tumults, Hear alone the songs of heaven. XXXVIII. EXILE. I'll spend my few remaining days, While here ordained to roam, As exiles do in distant lands, I'll think of nought but home. Wistful upon the strand I gaze Toward heaven, my country's shore, Expecting hence ere long to sail, And sin and weep no more. When I depart for other worlds, What friend will cleave to me? None, none, how well soe'er beloved-- Dear Jesus, none but Thee. XXIX. A FATHER AT THE HELM. Far, far on the ocean one cold starless night, A small bark was sailing in pitiful plight: The boom of the billows, as on rushed the storm, O'ercame the stout hearts of the men with alarm. But one in that lone boat was fearless the while,-- The captain's bright boy:--looking round with a smile: "The storm threatens," he said, "but still do not fear, We safely shall land, for _my Father doth steer._"