A Prayer

A Prayer

Father of all, this Sabbath night

My soul, I'll lift to thee, -

I pray that thou wilt guide me right,

'Till I am call'd to eternity.

Forbid, O Father! that I should stray

From thy most just command -

Lord sin abounds here every day,

Altho' at sea and far from land.

Forbid, kind Parent, forbid I pray,

That following evil I should go, -

Oh! guide me in that righteous way

Which none but thee can ever show.

How blest are they, Oh Lord, on shore

Who thrice this day have heard thy word -

Ah me! I hear the billows roar,

And get my sermon from the flood.

And plan enough to me they preach -

Yes! thundering tale to me -

That they a lesson me can teach

About the man of Calvary.

And drops of blood, they tell were split,

To rescue fallen me -

To save my soul from sin and guilt,

To break the bonds and set me free.

Yes Lord! the ocean tells to youth

Much more than I can pen -

How they should live in love and truth.

And give thee glory - Amen, Amen

Unattributed

2:31, p. 122

1838.09.22

From the Scrap Book of C.R. morel (Deceased) Written at Sea, October, 1835