When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!”
While singing the next lines, a few of the gas jets were lit. These words were:
“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;”
But the lights feebly flickered and died, and the congregation, again in darkness, continued:
“Change and decay in all around I see:
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!”
But the choir sang on to the end. When they reached the last stanza some of the gas jets were burning; and in the dim light the words were stirringly appealing:
“Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes: