WHEN gathering clouds around I view, And days are dark, and friends are few, On...

WHEN gathering clouds around I view, And days are dark, and friends are few, On him I lean, who not in vain Experienced every human pain; He knows my wants, allays my fears, And counts and treasures up my tears.

If aught should tempt my soul to stray From heavenly wisdom's narrow way, To fly the good I would pursue, Or do the thing I would not do; Still he, who felt temptation's power, Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.

If wounded love my bosom swell, Deceived by those I prized too well, He shall his pitying aid bestow, Who felt on earth severer woe, At once betrayed, denied, or fled, By those who shared his daily bread.

When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend, Which covers what was once a friend; And from his hand, his voice, his smile, Divides me for a little while, My Saviour marks the tears I shed; For Jesus wept o'er Lazarus dead.

And O when I have safely passed Through every conflict but the last, Still, still unchanging, watch beside My dying bed - for thou hast died! Then point to realms of cloudless day, And wipe the latest tear away.