132    C.M.     J. Swain
Christ a True Friend. Prov. 17. 17; 18. 24

1 A Friend there is, your voices join,
  Ye saints, to praise his name,
  Whose truth and kindness are divine,
  Whose love’s a constant flame.

2 When most we need his helping hand,
  This Friend is always near;
  With heaven and earth at his command,
  He waits to answer prayer.

3 His love no end or measure knows;
  No change can turn its course;
  Immutably the same, it flows
  From one eternal source!

4 When frowns appear to veil his face,
  And clouds surround his throne,
  He hides the purpose of his grace,
  To make it better known.

5 And if our dearest comforts fall
  Before his sovereign will,
  He never takes away our all –
  Himself he gives us still.

6 [Our sorrows in the scale he weighs,
  And measures out our pains;
  The wildest storm his word obeys;
  His word its rage restrains.]