In vain the erring world inquires

In vain the erring world inquires

Author: Anne Steele
Published in 20 hymnals

Representative Text

I. In vain the erring world enquires,
For true substantial good:
While earth confines their low desires,
They live on airy food.

II. Illusive dreams of happiness,
Their eager thoughts employ;
They wake, convinc'd their boasted bliss
Was visionary joy.

III. Begone, ye gilded vanities;
I seek some solid good;
To real bliss my wishes rise,
The favour of my God.

IV. My God, to thee my soul aspires;
Dispel the shades of night,
Enlarge and fill these vast desires,
With infinite delight.

V. Immortal joy thy smiles impart,
Heav'n dawns in ev'ry ray;
One glimpse of thee will glad my heart,
And turn my night to day.

VI. Not all the good which earth bestows,
Can fill the craving mind;
Its highest joys have mingled woes,
And leave a sting behind.

VII. Should boundless wealth increase my store—
Can wealth my cares beguile?
I should be wretched still, and poor
Without thy blissful smile.

VIII. Grant, O my God, this one request:
Oh, be thy love alone
My ample portion,—here I rest,
For heav'n is in the boon.

Source: Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 #30

Author: Anne Steele

Anne Steele was the daughter of Particular Baptist preacher and timber merchant William Steele. She spent her entire life in Broughton, Hampshire, near the southern coast of England, and devoted much of her time to writing. Some accounts of her life portray her as a lonely, melancholy invalid, but a revival of research in the last decade indicates that she had been more active and social than what was previously thought. She was theologically conversant with Dissenting ministers and "found herself at the centre of a literary circle that included family members from various generations, as well as local literati." She chose a life of singleness to focus on her craft. Before Christmas in 1742, she declined a marriage proposal from contemporar… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: In vain the erring world inquires
Author: Anne Steele
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances

Instances (1 - 20 of 20)
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A Collection of Hymns, for the Christian Church and Home #141

Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d450

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Church Psalmist #P4d

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Church Psalmist #P4d

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Church Psalmist #P4d

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Hymn Book for Christian Worship #596

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Hymn Book for Christian Worship. 8th ed. #a596

Hymns and Tunes for Vestry and Conference Meetings #d41

Hymns and Tunes for Vestry and Conferences. 2nd ed. #d37

Text

Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 #30

Sacred poetry #d222

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Sacred Poetry #aH.CXXVIII

Sacred Poetry #d221

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Sacred Poetry #H.CXXVIII

The Christian Psalter #d268

The Universalist Hymn Book #d228

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The Universalist Hymn-Book #360

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