A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

ABSENCE.

I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you.—II. Corinthians, x. 1.

I write these things, being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me.—II. Corinthians, xiii. 10.

To Jesus, the crown of my hope,

My soul is in haste to be gone;

Oh, bear me, ye cherubim, up,

And waft me away to His throne!

My Saviour, whom absent, I love,

Whom not having seen, I adore;

Whose name is exalted above

All glory, dominion, and pow’r.

Cowper.

Thus far my God hath led me on,

And made His truth and mercy known;

My hopes and fears alternate rise,

And comforts mingle with my sighs.

Through this wild wilderness I roam,

Far distant from my blissful home;

Lord, let Thy presence be my stay,

And guard me in this dangerous way.

Temptations everywhere annoy,

And sins and snares my peace destroy;

My earthly joys are from me torn,

And oft an absent God I mourn.

Fawcett.

Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews,

And nobler speech than angels use,

If love be absent, I am found,

Like tinkling brass, an empty sound.

If love to God and love to men

Be absent, all my hopes are vain;

Nor tongues, nor gifts, nor fiery zeal,

The work of love can e’er fulfil.

Watts.