Body

Lo, in the moonless night, In the rough wind's despite,
They ply the oar,
Keen gusts smite in their teeth; The hoarse winds chafe beneath
With muffled roar.

Numb fingers, failing force, Scarce serve to hold the course
Hard-won, half-way,
When o'er the tossing tide, Pallid and heavy-eyed,
Scowls the dim day.

And now in the wan light, Walking the waters white,
A shape draws near;
Each soul, in troubled wise, Staring with starting eyes,
Cries out in fear.

Each grasps his neighbor tight, In helpless, huddled fright
Shaken and swayed.
And, lo, the Master nigh Speaks softly: "It is I;
Be not afraid!"

E'en so to us that strain Over life's moaning main,
Thou drawest near.
And, knowing not Thy guise, We gaze with troubled eyes
And cry for fear.

A strange voice whispers low: "This joy must thou forego,
Thy first and best!"
A shrouded phantom stands Crossing the best-loved hands
For churchyard rest.

Then, soft, as is the fall Of that white gleaming pall
By snowflakes made,
Stilling each startled cry, Thou speakest: "It is I;
Be not afraid!"

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea!
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!

When at last I near the shore
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee!"

The Lord's Prayer

Benediction
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Amen.

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[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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