Storms At Sea

Storms At Sea

Those who frequent the dangerous main,

In quest of pleasure, health, or gain,

Should deeply on their minds record,

The wondrous blessings of the Lord.

He oft commands the furious winds,

To scourge them for repeated sins;

The obedient winds his will perform,

Unite, and swell the gathering storm.

The shattered vessel, to the blast,

Resigns her rigging, sails, and mast,

And 'fore the unbridled gale is borne,

With squalls and billows scathed and torn.

Sometimes she caps the stormy scene;

Sometimes she, hopeless, sinks between

Enormous seas, which wildly spread

Their foaming horrors o'er her head.

And now, the deeply-chastened crew,

Their guilty course with sorrow view,

And fainting at the threat'ning roar,

They languish for the distant shore;

While on their humbled, staggering knees,

To heaven they send their noisy pleas;

And loud, from every rocking wave,

They cry, "O, Lord, in mercy save!"

The Lord, in pity, hears them plead,

And bids the frightful gale recede

Sends milder breezes to escort,

And waft them to their destined port.

O, that the safely-landed crew,

To God, would render praises due;

Still fear and serve him on the shore,

And wander from their Lord no more!