The words
Stanza 1. Oft in vain the voice of truth,Solemnly and loudly warns;Thoughtless, inexperienced youth,Though it hears, the warning scorns:Youth in fancy’s glass surveysLife prolonged to distant years;While the vast, imagined space,Filled with sweets and joys appears.
Stanza 2. Aweful disappointment, soonOverclouds the prospect gay!Some their sun goes down at noon,Torn by death’s strong hand away:Where are then their pleasing schemes?Where the joys they hoped to find?Gone for ever, like their dreams,Leaving not a trace behind.
Stanza 3. Others, who are spared awhile,Live to weep o’er fancy’s cheat;Find distress, and pain, and toil,Bitter things instead of sweet:Sin has spread a curse around,Poisoned all things here below;On this base polluted ground,Peace and joy can never grow.
Stanza 4. Grace alone can cure our ills,Sweeten life, with all its cares;Regulate our stubborn wills,Save us from surrounding snaresThough you oft have heard in vain,Former years in folly spent;Grace invites you yet again,Once more calls you to repent.
Stanza 5. Called again, at length, beware,Hear the Savior’s voice, and live;Lest he in his wrath should swear,He no more will warning give:Pray, that you may hear and feel,Ere the day of grace be past;Lest your hearts grow hard as steel,Or this year should prove your last.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 6. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-6
