"ROCK OF AGES."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 70, 11 March 1876, Page 4

"ROCK OF AGES."

« Rockrof Ages; cleft for me;" Thoughtlessly the maiden, sung, . Fell thetwdraV'tfncorißcibußly From her girlish, gleeful tongue; ■.Sang ai Httle' children sing; Sang, as sing the birds in June; Fell the words like light leaves down On the ciir rent '61 the tune— " Rock* of Ages, cleft for me , Let-me hide myself in Thee." «« Let . me'hiae^nyself in Th6e." Felt her soul no need to hide: Sweet the song as song could be— And Bhe had no thought beside: , All the words untieedinsdy ••--' Fell from lips untouched by care, Dreaming not they each might be On some other lips a prayer— . " R6ckl6f. Ages, cleft for me, * Let me hide myself in Thee." J f Rock -of A ges, pleft for me "— ; ' y^Twara woman sting them now. Pleadingly and prayerfully Every word her heart did know, as storm- tossed bird " Beats, with weary wing the air, Every note with sorrow stirred — Ererj-jjeyllable a prayer-4- --" Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let.me hide myself .in Thee." !» Rock of Ages, cleft for me," Lips grown aged. sung the hymn Trustingly and tenderly— Voice grown weak and eyes grown dim, . «• Let me hide inyßelf iti -Thee." Trembling though the voice and low Ban the Sweet strain peacefully, Like a river in its flow. Sang ae,oniy they can sing b_hoid"the ; promised rest — " Bock of Ages, cleft tor me, Let me hide myself in Thee." ". Rock, of Ages, cleft for me," j._vSun'g above a coffin-lid; Underneath, all restfully, All life's joyß and sorrows hid. Neyermore,,o storm-tossed soul 1 from wind or tide, Nevermore from billow's roll, Wilt thou need thyself to hide. Could the. sightless, sunken eyes, Closed beneath the soft grey hair, Could the mute and stiffened lips *' : ' s __ove again in pleading prayer. Still, aye, still the words wonld be, " Let me hide myself in Thee." „-..,, ,-. . , ■' Lokofbi.-ow.