708    C.M.     J. Hart
“It is good for me to draw near to God.” Ps. 73. 28

1 As when a child, secure of harms,
  Hangs at the mother’s breast,
  Safe folded in her anxious arms,
  Receiving food and rest:

2 And, while through many a painful path
  The travelling parent speeds,
  The fearless babe, with passive faith,
  Lies still, and yet proceeds:

3 Should some short start his quiet break,
  He fondly strives to fling
  His little arms about her neck,
  And seems to closer cling;

4 Poor child, maternal love alone
  Preserves thee, first and last;
  Thy parent’s arms, and not thy own,
  Are those that hold thee fast!

5 So souls that would to Jesus cleave,
  And hear his secret call,
  Must every fair pretension leave,
  And let the Lord be all.

6 “Keep close to me, thou helpless sheep,”
  The Shepherd softly cries;
  “Lord, tell me what ’tis close to keep,”
  The listening sheep replies.

7 “Thy whole dependence on me fix;
  Nor entertain a thought
  Thy worthless schemes with mine to mix,
  But venture to be nought.

8 “Fond self-direction is a shelf;
  Thy strength, thy wisdom flee;
  When thou art nothing in thyself,
  Thou then art close to me.”