1 Lord, unafflicted, undismayed,
In pleasure's path how long I stayed!
Bur Thou hast made me feel Thy rod,
And turned my soul to Thee, my God.
2 What though it pierced my fainting heart,
I bless Thy hand that cased the smart;
It taught my tears a while to flow,
But saved me from eternal woe.
3 Oh hadst Thou left me unchastised,
Thy precepts I had still despised,
And still the snare, in secret laid
Had my unwary feet betrayed.
4 I love Thy chastenings, oh my God;
They fix my hopes on Thy abode,
Where, in Thy presence fully blest,
Thy stricken saints for ever rest.
Source: The Book of Worship #320
Cowper, William, the poet. The leading events in the life of Cowper are: born in his father's rectory, Berkhampstead, Nov. 26, 1731; educated at Westminster; called to the Bar, 1754; madness, 1763; residence at Huntingdon, 1765; removal to Olney, 1768; to Weston, 1786; to East Dereham, 1795; death there, April 25, 1800.
The simple life of Cowper, marked chiefly by its innocent recreations and tender friendships, was in reality a tragedy. His mother, whom he commemorated in the exquisite "Lines on her picture," a vivid delineation of his childhood, written in his 60th year, died when he was six years old. At his first school he was profoundly wretched, but happier at Westminster; excelling at cricket and football, and numbering Warren Hasti… Go to person page >
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