Songs of Refuge

Firm cling to the blessed cross,
There shall thy refuge be;
Wash thee now in the crimson fount,
Flowing so pure for thee;
List' to the gently warning voice!
List' to the earnest call!
Leave at the cross thy burden now:
Jesus will bear it all.

Come, oh come, with thy broken heart,
Weary and worn with care;
Come and kneel at the open door,
Jesus is waiting there;
Waiting to heal thy wounded soul,
Waiting to give thee rest;
Why wilt thou walk where shadows fall?
Come to His loving breast.

Come and taste of the precious feast,
Feast of eternal love;
Think of joys that forever bloom,
Bright in the life above.
Come with a trusting heart to God,
Come and be saved by grace;
Come for He longs to clasp thee now,
Close in His dear embrace.

"Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless
I dare not take one step without Thy aid;
Hold thou, my hand; for then, O loving Savior,
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.

Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me
To Thy dear self--my hope, my joy, my all;
Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander,
And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should fall.

Hold Thou my hand; the way is dark before me
Without the sunlight of Thy face divine;
But when by faith I catch its radiant glory,
What heights of joy, when rapturous songs are mine!

Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the margin
Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me,
A heavenly light may flash along its waters,
And every wave like crystal bright shall be."