Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer:
for I believe God.
Acts 27:25
The tempest raged, the surges rolled,
The ship was sorely tossed
Upon the ocean's heaving breast,
With hope entirely lost.
Fast driven by the howling winds,
Torn sails and battered mast,
A voice of cheer, rang firm and clear
Above the stormy blast.--
"There stood beside me this dark night,
The Angel of the Lord:
'Fear not,' said He, 'for God will save
All souls with thee on board.'
Sirs, I believe the God I serve,
So be ye of good cheer;
With shattered ship we must be cast
Upon an island near."
Thus spake the pris'ner of the Lord,
And, like a central calm,
His words amid the hurricane
Allayed the crew's alarm.
The boat was wrecked: some swam to shore,
Some clung to driftwood found:
Two hundred, three-score, sixteen souls--
All landed safe and sound.
The world sails gaily like a ship;
The south wind softly blows;
"Peace, peace," the careless loudly cry,
As money freely flows.
The loving message of our God
Is treated with disdain:
Another captain holds the helm,
And warnings seem in vain.
But low'ring clouds foretell a storm;
The ship begins to reel;
All hands on deck work desperately
To keep an even keel:
E'en overboard some dare to cast
The finest of the wheat;
Small wonder hearts now fail for fear!
The wreck well-nigh complete.
What joy upon life's sea to know
We have the Christ on board:
All shall be saved who sail with Paul,
For Paul sailed with his Lord.
Our Pilot cries, "Be of good cheer,"
When storms around us beat:
The passage Home may still be rough,
The landing shall be sweet!
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