In error's ways you vainly roam

1 In error's ways you vainly roam,
They lead you not to peace or home;
Why will you toil and labour so,
To miss of heaven, and plunge in wo?

Chorus:
Eternal wisdom cries,
Haste, sinner, to be wise;
Forsake your sins without delay,
And taste the Saviour's love to day.

2 The path in which you madly tread,
With clouds and gloom is overspread;
Bestrew'd with every secret snare,
And ravenous beasts are prowling there. [Chorus]

3 Every successive step you take,
But nears you to the burning lake:
Each day your souls in sin remain,
Bespeaks eternal years of pain. [Chorus]

4 And what reward can Satan give,
That thus his slave, his drudge you live?
Were you his sole, his chosen heir,
Say, would you choose his throne to share? [Chorus]

5 Would you with foulest fiends resort,
'Midst flames sulphureous hold your court,
Harassed with God's enduring ire,
The vengeance of eternal fire? [Chorus]

6 Satan could not no more than this,
Were all his aim your only bliss;
A throne in hell! a crown of shame!
A royal couch of livid flame! [Chorus]

7 But as the coiling serpent lies;
As gleam the tiger's burning eyes;
As springs the panther on his prey,
So Satan lurks your souls to slay. [Chorus]

8 Not so our Master, Christ the Lord,
Bestows on us the high reward;
Eternal glory--crowns more bright
Than deck the first-born sons of light. [Chorus]

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #114