ROCK OF AGES -- THE SONG

Some years ago the following exquisite verses appeared in Public Opinion, London. They surely have in them power to gently touch every heart and to soothe the weary. It is but one of the many beauti­ful forms of the story of a life lived according to faith in God.

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me,           

 Thoughtlessly the maiden sung:

FeU the words unconsciously

            From the girlish, guileless tongue:

Sung as little children sing,

            Sung as sing the birds in June:

Fell the words as light leaves down

            On the current of the tune­

'Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee."

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me-"

            Felt her soul no need to hide,

            Sweet the song as song could be.

            And she had no thought beside:

            All the words unheedingly

            Fell from lips untouched by care,

            Dreamed not then that each might be

            On some other lips a prayer­

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me,

            Let me hide myself in Thee."

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me-"

            'Twas a woman sung them now:

Sung them slow and wearily­

            Wan hand on her aching brow.

Rode the song as storm-tossed bird

            Beats with weary wing the air:

Every note with sorrow stirred,

            Every syllable a prayer­

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

 Let me hide myself in Thee."

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me-"

            Lips grown aged sung the hymn

Trustingly and tenderly;

            Voice grown weak and eyes grown dim­

"Let me hide myself in Thee. "

            Trembling though the voice and low,

Ran the sweet strain peacefully,

            Like a river in its flow;

            Sung as only they can sing

            Who life's thorny paths have pressed;

            Sung as only they can sing

            Who behold the promised rest­

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me.

            Let me hide myself in Thee."

"Rock of Ages. cleft for me-'

            Sung above a coffin lid;

Underneath all restfully,

            All life's joys and sorrows hid.

Never more a storm-tossed soul,

            Never more from wind and tide,

            Never more from billows roll

            Wilt thou ever need to hide.

            Could the sightless. sunken eyes.

            Closed beneath the soft white hair;

            Could the mute and stiffened lips

Move again in pleading prayer,

Still, aye still, the words would be­

"Let me hide myself in Thee."