Bitter And Sweet

Kindle, Saviour, in my heart,

A flame of love divine;

Hear, for mine I trust thou art,

And sure I would be thine;

If my soul has felt thy grace,

If to me thy name is known;

Why should trifles fill the place

Due to thyself alone?

'Tis a strange mysterious life

I live from day to day;

Light and darkness, peace and strife,

Bear an alternate sway:

When I think the battle won,

I have to fight it o'er again;

When I say I'm overthrown,

Relief I soon obtain.

Often at the mercy-seat,

While calling on thy name,

Swarms of evil thoughts I meet,

Which fill my soul with shame.

Agitated in my mind,

Like a feather in the air,

Can I thus a blessing find?

My soul, can this be pray'r?

But when Christ, my Lord and Friend,

Is pleas'd to show his pow'r

All at once my troubles end,

And I've a golden hour;

Then I see his smiling face,

Feel the pledge of joys to come:

Often, Lord, repeat this grace

Till thou shalt call me home.