THESE many years! What lessons they unfold

Of grace and guidance through the wilderness.

From the same God that Israel of old

In the Shekinah glory did possess!

How faithful He, through all my griefs and fears

 And constant murmurings, these many years!

God of the Covenant! From first to last,

From when I stood within that sprinkled door,

 And o’er my guilt the avenging angel passed,

Thy better angel hath gone on before;

And naught but goodness all the way appears,

Unmerited and free, these many years!

Thy presence wrought a pathway through the sea;

Thy presence made the bitter waters sweet;

And daily have Thy hands prepared for me

Sweet, precious morsels lying at my feet.

‘Twas but to stoop and taste the grace that cheers.

And start refreshed, through all these many years!

What time I thirsted and earth’s streams were dry,

What time I wandered and my hope was gone,

Thy hand hath brought a pure and full supply,

And, by a loving pressure, lured me on.

How oft that hand hath wiped away my tears

And written “Pardoned!” all these many years!

And what of discipline Thy love ordained

Fell ever gently on this heart of mine;

Around its briers was my spirit trained

To bring forth fruits of righteousness Divine;

Wisdom in every check, and love appears

 In every stroke, throughout these many years!

Lord, what I might have been, my spirit knows

Rebellious, petulant, and prone to stray;

Lord, what I am, in spite of flesh and foes,

 I owe to grace that kept me in the way.

Thine be the glory! Merit disappears,

As back I look upon these many years.

Thine be the glory! Thou shalt have the praise

For all Thy dealings, to my latest breath;

A daily “Ebenezer” will I raise,

And sing “Salvation” through the vale of death

 To where the crown, the golden harp appears,

There to rehearse Thy love through endless years!

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