When day first dawned upon my soul

1 When day first dawn'd upon my soul,
Bright seem'd the morn to be;
Alas! that clouds so soon should roll
Between my God and me:
Alas! that I so soon should mourn
My life, my love withdrawn;
My Saviour from my bosom torn,
My hopes, my comforts gone.

2 I fancied I should never fear,
Should never doubt again,
Should never drop another tear,
That all my foes were slain;
But now my heart with anguish faints,
It doubts and fears anew;
Come, tell me, oh ye happy saints!
If it was so with you.

3 Have faith, have faith, thou fainting soul,
On Christ thy spirit stay,
And all these clouds that darkly roll,
Will swiftly pass away:
And brighter, holier moments thou
Shalt yet rejoice to know,
Although through fear and doubting, now,
The hours are sad and slow.

4 Satan thy foe would make thee fear,
Like Peter on the wave,
But lo! thy Saviour still is near,
His hand stretch'd out to save.
"Oh! wherefore dost thou doubt, (he saith,)
Do I not rule the sea?
Away those fears; have faith, have faith,
For I am still with thee."

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #24