Hymn 174: Beneath the cross of Jesus

Verse 1

Beneath the cross of Jesus 

I fain would take my stand-

The shadow of the mighty Rock,

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide[heat.

And the burden of the day,


Verse 2

O safe and happy shelter,

O refuge tried and sweet,

O trysting-place where heaven’s love

And heaven’s justice meet!

As to the holy patriarch

That wondrous dream was given,

So seems my Saviour’s cross to me,

A ladder up to heaven.


Verse 3

There lies, beneath its shadow,

But on the father side,

The darkness of an awful grave

That gapes both deep and wide:

And there between us stands the cross,

Two arms outstretched to save;

Like a watchman set to guard the[way

From that eternal grave.


Verse 4

Upon that cross of Jesus,

Mine eyes at times can see

The very dying form of One 

Who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart, with[tears

Two wonders I confess-

The wonders of His glorious love,

And my own worthless.


Verse 5

I take, O cross, thy shadow

For my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of His face:

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain nor loss-

My sinful self my only shame,

My glory all the cross,

Miss E.C. Clephane.