Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 120

120.
The Death of Stephen.—Acts, vii, 54—60.

1 As some tall rock amidst the waves
The fury of the tempest braves,
While the fierce billows, tossing high,
Break at its foot, and murm'ring, die:

2 Thus they who in the Lord confide,
Though foes assault on every side,
Cannot be moved or overthrown,
For Jesus makes their cause his own.

3 So faithful Stephen, undismay'd,
The malice of the Jews survey'd;
The holy joy which fill'd his breast,
A lustre on his face impress'd.

4 "Behold," he said, "the world of light
Is open'd to my strengthened sight;
My glorious Lord appears in view,
That Jesus whom ye lately slew."

5 With such a friend and witness near,
No form of death could make him fear;
Calm, amidst showers of stones, he kneels,
And only for his murderers feels.

6 May we by faith perceive thee thus,
Dear Saviour, ever near to us!
This sight our peace through life shall keep,
And death be fear'd no more than sleep.

121.
The Rebel's surrender to Grace.–Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?—Acts, ix, 6.

1 Lord, thou hast won,—at length I yield,—
My heart, by mighty grace compell'd,
Surrenders all to thee;
Against thy terrors long I strove,
But who can stand against thy love?
Love conquers even me.

2 All that a wretch could do I tried,—
Thy patience scorn'd, thy power defied,
And trampled on thy laws:
Scarcely thy martyrs at the stake
Could stand more steadfast for thy sake
Than I in Satan's cause.

3 But since thou hast thy love reveal'd,
And shown my soul a pardon seal'd,
I can resist no more:
Couldst thou for such a sinner bleed?
Canst thou for such a rebel plead?
I wonder and adore!

4 If thou hadst bid thy thunders roll,
And lightnings flash, to blast my soul,
I still had stubborn been;
But mercy has my heart subdued,—
A bleeding Saviour I have view'd,
And now I hate my sin.

5 Now, Lord, I would be thine alone;
Come, take possession of thine own,
For thou hast set me free:
Released from Satan's hard command,
See all my powers waiting stand
To be employed by thee.

6 My will conform'd to thine would move;
On thee, my hope, desire, and love,
In fix'd attention join;
My hands, my eyes, my ears, my tongue,
Have Satan's servants been too long,
But now they shall be thine.

7 And can I be the very same
Who lately durst blaspheme thy name,
And on thy gospel tread?
Surely each one who hears my case
Will praise thee and confess thy grace
Invincible indeed!