Chapter LII: Death-Bed Hymn

Standing upon the awful brink,
Almost too faint to pray or think,
Thou who canst pain and fear control,
My God, have mercy on my soul!

A chilling gloom I feel within,
A trembling consciousness of sin;
I cannot to my mind recall
What sins—but Thou hast marked them all.

Oh, let my soul some promise hear
From Thy blest Word to calm her fear;
Oh, bid this doubt, this anguish cease—
My Saviour say, “Depart in peace!”

Thou know’st I loved Thee,—weak might be
My faith—but it was fixed on Thee;
Thou didst a gracious promise make—
Oh, save me for Thy mercy’s sake!

Methinks I hear my Lord reply:
“Fear not, for I am ever nigh;
In life—in death—beyond the grave—
My arm shall guide, support, and save.

“Thy ransom hath been paid by love,
Thy mansion is prepared above;
No power of death, or hell, or sin,
From Me one pardoned soul shall win!”