| I asked the Lord that I might grow | 
| In faith and love, and ev’ry grace, | 
| Might more of His salvation know, | 
| And seek more earnestly His face. | 
| 'Twas He who taught me thus to pray, | 
| And He, I trust, has answered prayer, | 
| But it has been in such a way | 
| As almost drove me to despair. | 
| I hoped that in some favoured hour | 
| At once He’d answer my request | 
| And, by His love’s constraining pow’r, | 
| Subdue my sins, and give me rest. | 
| Instead of this, He made me feel | 
| The hidden evils of my heart | 
| And let the angry pow’rs of hell | 
| Assault my soul, in ev’ry part. | 
| Yea, more with His own hand He seemed | 
| Intent to aggravate my woe, | 
| Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, | 
| Humbled my heart, and laid me low. | 
| «Lord, why is this,» I trembling cried; | 
| «Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?» | 
| «Tis in this way,» the Lord replied, | 
| «I answer prayer for grace and faith.» | 
| «These inward trials I employ | 
| From self and pride to set thee free | 
| And break thy schemes of earthly joy | 
| That thou may’st find thy all in me.» | 
| «And break thy schemes of earthly joy | 
| That thou may’st find thy all in me.» |