In vain the world's alluring smile

In vain the world's alluring smile

Author: Anne Steele
Published in 16 hymnals

Representative Text

I. In vain, the world's alluring smile
Would my unwary heart beguile:
Deluding world! its brightest day,
Dream of a moment, fleets away!

II. Earth's highest pleasures, could they last,
Would pall and languish on the taste;
Such airy chaff was ne'er design'd
To feed th'immortal, craving mind.

III. To nobler bliss my soul aspires,
Come, Lord, and fill these vast desires;
Be thou my portion, here I rest,
Since of my utmost wish possest.

IV. O let thy sacred word impart
Its sealing influence to my heart;
With pow'r, and light, and love divine,
Assure my soul that thou art mine.

V. The blissful word, with joy replete,
Shall bid my gloomy fears retreat,
And heav'n-born hope, serenely bright,
Shine chearful thro' this mortal night.

VI. Then shall my joyful spirit rise
On wings of faith above the skies;
And when these transient scenes are o'er,
And this vain world shall tempt no more:

VII. O may I reach the blissful plains,
Where thy unclouded glory reigns,
And dwell forever near thy throne
In joys to mortal thought unknown.

Source: Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 #68

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 world's alluring smile
Author: Anne Steele
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances

Instances (1 - 16 of 16)
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Hymns #93

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Hymns #93

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Hymns #93

Text

Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 #68

Prison Hymn Book #d163

Supplement to Watts #d209

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The Clifton Chapel Collection of "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" #655

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The Gospel Psalmist #386

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The Harp #588

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The Harp. 2nd ed. #a588

The Praise #d128

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The Psalmist #532

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The Psalmist #532

The Universalist Hymn Book #d229

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The Universalist Hymn-Book #569

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