Out, upon the deep old ocean,
Out, upon the trackless wave,
Tossed by winds in fierce commotion—
Men with hearts no longer brave—
Drifted a poor helpless vessel,
Driven by the winds at will;
Struggling sailors with her wrestle,
Lest they watery graves should fill.

All night long they toiled in rowing,
Striving their frail bark to guide—
Morning’s streaks were longer growing,
Still she tossed from side to side.
Some were on the oars hard bending,
Others strove to man the sail,
But each moment strength seemed lending
To the e’er increasing gale.

Silently each weary seaman
Did the task to him assigned;
Helpless starboard watch, and leamen
Scanned the trackless waste behind.
Fainter grew their hearts within them,
For the billows threatened death,
Furious breakers fought to win them,
Prayers were uttered with each breath.

Denser grew the clouds above them,
And the tempest wildly raged,
Weary captain, hopeless seamen,
Each in silent prayer engaged.
Sudden on the wave appearing
Breaks a strange mysterious light,
Toward their little bark ’tis nearing,
And they tremble with affright.

’Tis a spirit, said they lowly,
Terror on their faces spread,
But He neared them, speaking slowly—
It is I! Be not afraid.
Peter spake (the all-impulsive)
Jesus, come, Thy people save.
If indeed Thou art our Jesus,
Bid me walk upon the wave!

Come unto Me! said the Savior!
Peter made a noble start,
But ere long his strength forsook him—
Doubting filled his faithless heart.
In his own strength he was thinking
He could walk upon the wave—
Soon he found that he was sinking,
Then he cried, Lord Jesus, save!

Then the loving Savior caught him,
And unto the vessel came;
Peace now reigned, and Jesus taught him,
Not thy power, but Jesus’ name.
Sinner, you are on the ocean,
Sinking down beneath the wave;
Stretch thine arms with faith’s devotion—
Jesus Christ is quick to save!

Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard
Morning Glories, 1890

With angry brow and stately tread,
This mighty Warrior came;
With thundering throat his forces led,
With breath almost flame.
And eyes of penetrating glance,
That pierce through every vein,
As soldier pierced by soldier’s lance,
Earth groaned and writhed in pain.

The fearless eagle in his nest
Upon the mountain’s height,
Arose with wonder in his breast,
And quivered with affright.
Old ocean troubled in his bed,
At first the shores forsook—
Returning, all his furies led,
And crept into each nook.

Brave-hearted men like statues stood
Powerless to strike a blow;
Their homes became as kindling wood,
Their city’s walls laid low.
While mothers clasped their babes in arms
And sped with panting breath;
With faces full of dread alarm,
They sought to fly from death.

Husband and wife in long embrace
In mutest wonder stood;
Each horror read in other’s face,
And knelt and prayed to God.
Death reaped a harvest as he rode
On wings of every wind;
He slew the young, the brave and good,
And some grown old in sin.

The very stars their light refused
To witness scene like this;
Fair Lunar hid away confused,
And veiled herself in mist.
Roar after roar, peal after peal,
The fierce bombardment went,
’Till nature like a drunkard reeled,
Her strongest breastworks rent.

Surrender! comes from every lip;
We yield, from every breast;
Ourselves of selfishness now stript,
We are humbled in the dust.
In meek humility we bowed
And smiling kissed the rod,
That while it smote us, bore us up
Near to the throne of God.

Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard
Morning Glories, 1890