1 And be it so, that 'till this hour,
We never knew what faith has meant,
And, slaves to sin and satan's power,
Have never felt these hearts relent.

2 What shall we do? shall we lie down,
Sink in despair, and groan and die;
And, sunk beneath the almighty's frown,
Not glance one cheerful hope on high?

3 Forbid it, Savior! to thy grace
As sinners, strangers, we wil come;
Among thy saints we ask a place,
For in thy mercy there is room.

4 Lord, we believe; O chase away
The gloomy clouds of unbelief:
Lord, we repent! O let thy ray
Dissolve our hearts in sacred grief!

5 Now spread the banner of thy love,
And let us know that we are thine,
Cheer us with blessings from above,—
With all the joys of hope divine.