783    C.M.     J. Hart
“Stand still.” Exod. 14. 13; Matt. 7. 14

1 Oh what a narrow, narrow path
  Is that which leads to life!
  Some talk of works, and some of faith,
  With warmth, and zeal, and strife.

2 But after all that’s said or done,
  Let men think what they will,
  The strength of every tempted son
  Consists in standing still.

3 [“Stand still,” says one, “that’s easy sure;
  ’Tis what I always do.”
  Deluded soul, be not secure;
  This is not meant to you.

4 Not driven by fear, nor drawn by love,
  Nor yet by duty led;
  Lie still you do, and never move;
  For who can move that’s dead?

5 But for a living soul to stand,
  By thousand dangers scared,
  And feel destruction close at hand,
  O this indeed is hard!

6 To shun this danger, others run
  To hide they know not where;
  Or though they fight, no victory’s won;
  They only beat the air.]

7 He that believes, the Scripture says,
  Shall not confusedly haste.
  Thus danger threats both him that stays
  And him that runs too fast.

8 [Haste grasps at all, but nothing keeps;
  Sloth is a dangerous state;
  And he that flees, and he that sleeps,
  Cannot be said to wait.]

9 Lord, let thy Spirit prompt us when
  To go, and when to stay;
  Attract us with the cords of men,
  And we shall not delay.

10 Give power and will, and then command,
  And we will follow thee;
  And when we’re frightened, bid us stand
  And thy salvation see.