Noon

Full speed along the world's highway,
By crowds of eager travellers trod,
My soul, my soul, a moment stay,
To hold communion with thy God.

He spake with Abraham at the oak,
He call'd Elisha from the plough,
David He from the sheep-folds took;
Thy day, Thy hour of grace is now.

Earth, with thy vanities, depart!
My God, I stand alone with Thee;
Thine eye is looking on my heart;
Oh! what a noon is risen on me!

Struck to the ground, like conscious Saul,
And blinded with the sudden view,
Trembling, astonish'd, "Lord," I call,
What wouldst Thou have Thy servant do?"

My sins, as fresh-committed, rise;
My secret sins, by darkness seal'd,
Before my Judge's flaming eyes,
Are all in naked guilt reveal'd.

Lord, lay Thine hand upon my head;
A touch, a word, will make me whole;
Speak with the voice that wakes the dead,
Peace, pardon, comfort, to my soul.

Then, though I shudder at Thy sight,
Through Him who my offences bore,
In light, as God is in the light,
I walk by faith, and sin no more.