'Tis God's Own Word!

There is a lamp whose steady light
Guides the poor traveler in the night;
’Tis God’s own word; its beaming ray
Can turn a midnight into day.

There is a storehouse of rich fare,
Supplied with plenty and to spare:-
'Tis God's own word! It spreads a feast
For every hungering, thirsting guest.

There is a chart whose tracings show
The onward course when tempests blow:-
’Tis God’s own word! There, there is found
Direction for the homeward bound.

There is a tree whose leaves impart
Health to the burdened, contrite heart:—
’Tis God’s own word! It cures of sin,
And makes the guilty conscience clean.

Give me this lamp to light my road;
This store-house for my daily food;
Give me this chart for life’s rough sea;
These healing leaves, this heavenly tree.

—by Henry J. Betts (1825-1898)

Index