O How the Thought of God Attracts

O how the thought of God at­tracts

And draws the heart from earth

And sick­ens it of pass­ing shows

And dis­si­pat­ing mirth!

’Tis not enough to save our souls

To shun the eter­nal fires;

The thought of God will rouse the heart

To more sub­lime de­sires.

God on­ly is the crea­ture’s home

Though long and rough the road;

Yet no­thing less can sa­tis­fy

The love that longs for God.

O ut­ter but the name of God

Down in your heart of hearts

And see how from the world at once

All tempt­ing light de­parts.

A trust­ing heart

a yearn­ing eye

Can win their way ab­ove;

If mount­ains can be moved by faith

Is there less pow­er in love?

How lit­tle of that road

my soul!

How litt­le hast thou gone!

Take heart

and let the thought of God

Allure thee fur­ther on.

The free­dom all will­ful sin

The Christ­ian’s dai­ly task

O these are grac­es far be­low

What long­ing love would ask!

Dole not thy du­ties out to God

But let thy hand be free:

Look long at Je­sus; His sweet blood

How was it dealt to thee?

The per­fect way is hard to flesh;

It is not hard to love;

If thou wert sick for want of God

How swift­ly wouldst thou move!

Good is the clois­ter’s si­lent shade

Cold watch and pin­ing fast;

Better the mis­sion’s wear­ing strife

If there thy lot be cast.

Yet none of these per­fect­ion needs:

Keep thy heart calm all day

And catch the words the Spir­it there

From hour to hour may say.

O keep thy con­sci­ence sen­si­tive;

No in­ward tok­en miss;

And go where grace en­tic­es thee;

Perfection lies in this.

Be do­cile to thine un­seen guide

Love Him as He loves thee;

Time and obe­di­ence are enough

And thou a saint shall be!