As when a child secure of harms

1 As when a child, secure of harms,
Hangs at the mother’s breast,
Safe folded in her anxious arms,
Receiving food and rest:

2 And, while through many a painful path
The travelling parent speeds,
The fearless babe, with passive faith,
Lies still, and yet proceeds:

3 Should some short start his quiet break,
He fondly strives to fling
His little arms about her neck,
And seems to closer cling;

4 Poor child, maternal love alone
Preserves thee, first and last;
Thy parent’s arms, and not thy own,
Are those that hold thee fast!

5 So souls that would to Jesus cleave,
And hear his secret call,
Must every fair pretension leave,
And let the Lord be all.

6 “Keep close to me, thou helpless sheep,”
The Shepherd softly cries;
“Lord, tell me what ’tis close to keep,”
The listening sheep replies.

7 “Thy whole dependence on me fix;
Nor entertain a thought
Thy worthless schemes with mine to mix,
But venture to be nought.

8 “Fond self-direction is a shelf;
Thy strength, thy wisdom flee;
When thou art nothing in thyself,
Thou then art close to me.”

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #708