3879. The Lodestone

1. As needles point towards the pole,
When touched by the magnetic stone;
So faith in Jesus, gives the soul
A tendency before unknown.

2. Till then, by blinded passions led,
In search of fancied good we range;
The paths of disappointment tread,
To nothing fixed, but love of change.

3. But when the Holy Ghost imparts
A knowledge of the Savior’s love;
Our wand’ring, weary, restless hearts,
Are fixed at once, no more to move.

4. Now a new principle takes place,
Which guides and animates the will;
This love, another name for grace,
Constrains to good, and bars from ill.

5. By love’s sure light we soon perceive
Our noblest bliss, and proper end;
And gladly every idol leave,
To love and serve our Lord and Friend.

6. Thus borne along by faith and hope,
We feel the Savior’s words are true;
And I, if I be lifted up,
Will draw the sinner upward too.

Text Information
First Line: As needles point towards the pole
Title: The Lodestone
Author: John Newton (1779)
Meter: LM
Language: English
Source: Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779), number 90
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: Alternate tunes: DUANE STREET, George Coles, 1835; HE LEADETH ME, William B. Bradbury, 1864
Tune Information
Name: HAMBURG
Composer: Lowell Mason (1824)
Meter: LM
Incipit: 11232 34323 33343
Key: F Major
Source: First ap­peared in The Bos­ton Han­del and Hay­dn So­ci­e­ty Col­lect­ion of Church Mu­sic, third edi­tion, 1825
Copyright: Public Domain



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