The Comforts of Religion

O blest religion, heav'nly fair!
Thy kind, thy healing power,
Can sweeten pain, alleviate care,
And gild each gloomy hour.

When dismal thoughts, and boding fears
The trembling heart invade;
And all the face of nature wears
A universal shade:

Thy sacred dictates can assuage
The tempest of the soul,
And every fear shall lose its rage
At thy divine control.

Through life's bewilder'd, darksome way,
Thy hand unerring leads;
And o'er the path, thy heavenly ray
A cheering lustre sheds.

When feeble reason, tir'd and blind,
Sinks helpless and afraid;
Thou blest supporter of the mind,
How pow'rful is thy aid!

O let my heart confess thy power,
And find thy sweet relief,
To brighten every gloomy hour,
And soften every grief.