ALONE WITH JESUS.

By Helen Mar Johnson

Alone with Jesus! leave me here,

Without a wish, without a fear,—

My pulse is weak and faint my breath

But is He not the Lord of death?

And if I live, or if I die,

‘ T is all the same when He is nigh.

Alone with Jesus! ye who weep,

And round my bed your vigils keep,

My love was never half so strong,

And yours — oh, I have proved it long,

But when had earthly friend the power

To comfort in a dying hour!

Alone with Jesus! oh, how sweet

In health to worship at his feet!

But sweeter far when day by day

We droop, and pine, and waste away,

To feel his arms around us close,

And in his bosom find repose!

Alone with Jesus! how secure,

Vile in myself, in him how pure;

The tempests howl, the waters beat,

They harm me not in my retreat;

Night deepens —‘ mid its gloom and chill

He draws me nearer to him still.

Alone with Jesus! what alarms

The infant in its mother's arms?

Before me death and judgment rise,—

I turn my head and close mine eyes,

There's naught for me to fear or do,

I know that he will bear me through!

Alone with Jesus! earth grows dim,—

I even see my friends through him;

Time, space, all things below, above,

Reveal to me one Life, one Love,—

That One in whom all glories shine,

All beauties meet — that One is mine!