“Stand still.” Exod. 14. 13; Matt. 7. 14
J. Hart C.M.
1
Oh what a narrow, narrow path
Is that which leads to life!
Some talk of works, and some of faith,
With warmth, and zeal, and strife.
2
But after all that’s said or done,
Let men think what they will,
The strength of every tempted son
Consists in standing still.
3
[“Stand still,” says one, “that’s easy sure;
’Tis what I always do.”
Deluded soul, be not secure;
This is not meant to you.
4
Not driven by fear, nor drawn by love,
Nor yet by duty led;
Lie still you do, and never move;
For who can move that’s dead?
5
But for a living soul to stand,
By thousand dangers scared,
And feel destruction close at hand,
O this indeed is hard!
6
To shun this danger, others run
To hide they know not where;
Or though they fight, no victory’s won;
They only beat the air.]
7
He that believes, the Scripture says,
Shall not confusedly haste.
Thus danger threats both him that stays
And him that runs too fast.
8
[Haste grasps at all, but nothing keeps;
Sloth is a dangerous state;
And he that flees, and he that sleeps,
Cannot be said to wait.]
9
Lord, let thy Spirit prompt us when
To go, and when to stay;
Attract us with the cords of men,
And we shall not delay.
10
Give power and will, and then command,
And we will follow thee;
And when we’re frightened, bid us stand
And thy salvation see.
