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Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Faith

By Ray Palmer (1808–1887)

[Born in Little Compton, R. I., 1808. Died in Newark, N. J., 1887. From Poetical Works. 1876.]

MY faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine:

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine.

May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,—

A living fire.

While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Saviour, then, in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,—

A ransomed soul.

1830.