Wesley Corpus

Page 277 On honour's fatal Gilboa He vilely cast his shield away, And broke my faithful heart. But lo! When Jonathan was dead, I found an Hushai in his stead, Restorer of my peace, A friend in all my conflicts tried, Who never parted from my side, Or left me in distress. A minister of heavenly love, In paths that tend to joys above My shining pattern treads: He meets me still in Jesu's name, And back to him from whom he came, My thankful spirit leads. Friend of my soul, its griefs he shares, Confirms my hands by mighty prayers, And props my feeble knees; On earth he helps me to look down, And bids me seize with him the crown Of life, and righteousness. Oh! Might I rise by love restor'd, And following him, as he his Lord, These storms of care outfly, This cloudy atmosphere transcend, And claim, and grasp my happy friend In purer worlds on high! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XII.82 See, dearest Lord, thy servant see, And graciously approve 82Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 18-19; and MS Friendship II, 13-14. Page 278 My other self, and next to thee The object of my love: The love, wherewith my heart runs o'er, I dare to thee present, Thine all-indulging grace adore, And bless thine instrument. My gifts and comforts all, I know, From thee alone descend; Thou only couldst on me bestow So true, and kind a friend. Cast in one mould by art divine Our blended souls agree, And pair'd above our spirits join In sacred harmony. As sent, to bless me, from above Thy creature I receive, To turn my utmost strength of love On him for whom I live; To raise, and help my weakness on, Th' angelic power is given, He comes in human form sent down, And guards my soul to heaven. Thankful from thy blest hands I take Th' inestimable loan, And stand prepar'd to give him back, To render thee thine own: I dare not to thy creature cleave, Thy creature, Lord, recall, Thy glory still to thee I give, That thou art all in all. Page 279 Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XIII.83