Ref.—­I am list’ning; oh, I’m list’ning
        Just to hear the accents fall! 
      I am list’ning; oh, I’m list’ning
        To the Savior’s gentle call!

2 By his Spirit he is wooing,
  Softly drawing us to him,
Thro’ the day and night pursuing,
  With his gentle voice to win.

3 By the Word of Truth he’s speaking
  To the wand’ring, erring ones;
List! the voice the stillness breaking! 
  Hear the sweet and solemn tones!

4 In his providential dealings,
  Even in his stern decrees,
In the loudest thunders pealing,
  Or the murm’ring of the breeze.

     W. S. Marshall.

238 I Do Believe.  C.M.

Unwearied Earnestness. (491)

Father, I stretch my hand to thee;
  No other help I know: 
If thou withdraw thyself from me,
  Ah! whither shall I go?

Cho.—­I do believe, I now believe
        That Jesus died for me;
      And thro’ his blood, his precious blood,
        I shall from sin be free.

2 What did thine only Son endure. 
  Before I drew my breath? 
What pain, what labor, to secure
  My soul from endless death!

3 O Jesus, could I this believe,
  I now should feel thy power;
And all my wants thou would’st relieve,
  In this accepted hour.

4 Author of faith! to thee I lift
  My weary, longing eyes;
Oh, let me now receive that gift—­
  My soul without it dies.

5 Surely thou canst not let me die;
  Oh, speak, and I shall live,
And here I will unwearied lie,
  Till thou thy Spirit give.

6 How would my fainting soul rejoice,
  Could I but see thy face;
Now let me hear thy quick’ning voice,
  And taste thy pard’ning grace.

     Charles Wesley

239 I Do Believe.  C.M.

The Friend of Sinners. (485)

Jesus! thou art the sinner’s Friend;
  As such I look to thee;
Now, in the fullness of thy love,
  O Lord! remember me.

2 Remember thy pure word of grace,—­
  Remember Calvary;
Remember all thy dying groans,
  And, then, remember me.

3 Thou wondrous Advocate with God! 
  I yield myself to thee;
While thou art sitting on thy throne,
  Dear Lord! remember me.

4 Lord!  I am guilty—­I am vile,
  But thy salvation’s free;
Then, in thine all abounding grace,
  Dear Lord! remember me.

     Richard Burnham, 1783, a.

240 Brown.  C.M.

Approaching the Mercy-Seat. (482)

Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
  Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before his feet,
  For none can perish there.

2 Thy promise is my only plea,
  With this I venture nigh;
Thou call’st the burdened souls to thee,
  And such, O Lord, am I.

3 Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
  By Satan sorely pressed;
By wars without and fears within,
  I come to thee for rest.