Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 127

127.
Salvation drawing nearer.—Rom. xiii, 11, 12.

1 Darkness overspreads us here,
But the night wears fast away;
Jacob's Star will soon appear,
Leading on eternal day!
Now 'tis time to rouse from sleep,
Trim our lamps, and stand prepared,
For our Lord strict watch to keep,
Lest he find us off our guard.

2 Let his people courage take,
Bear with a submissive mind
All they suffer for his sake,—
Rich amends they soon will find:
He will wipe away their tears,
Near himself appoint their lot;
All their sorrows, pains, and fears,
Quickly then will be forgot.

3 Though already saved by grace,
From the hour we first believed;
Yet while sin and war have place,
We have but a part received:
Still we for salvation wait,
Every hour it nearer comes!
Death will break the prison gate
And admit us to our homes.

4 Sinners, what can you expect,
You who now the Saviour dare,
Break his laws, his grace reject?
You must stand before his bar!
Tremble, lest he say, depart!
Oh! the horrors of that sound!
Lord, make every careless heart
Seek thee while thou may'st be found.