Give me that gentle spirit, Lord

Give me that gentle spirit, Lord,
Which marks Thy faithful few,
Which answers not the railing word,
Nor does as worldlings do.

But using life, lives far above
Its treacherous hopes and fears,
Fed by the warmth of Heavenly love,
And penitential tears.

Which holds all care as little worth
Save when from truth it swerves,
And deems the poorest lot on earth
Better than it deserves.

Which cheerfully takes up its cross,
Content whate'er it be;
And counts as gain the deepest loss
So it but lead to Thee.

Give me that gentle spirit, Lord,
That L may daily prove
My faith in Thy directing Word,
My comfort in Thy love;

That I may use all means of grace,
Thy faithfulness hath given;
And every thing, and time, and place,
To make me fit for heaven.