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BENEATH the cross of Jesus
   I fain would take my stand—
The shadow of a mighty Rock,
    Within a weary land:
A home within the wilderness,
    A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
    And the burden of the day.
 
2  O safe and happy shelter,
    O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting-place—where Heaven’s love
    And Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch
    That wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Saviour’s cross to me,
    A ladder up to Heaven.
 
3  There lies beneath its shadow,
    But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
    That gapes both deep and wide;
And there between us stands the cross,
    Two arms outstretched to save,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
    From that eternal grave.
 
4  Upon the cross of Jesus
    Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
    Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
    Two wonders I confess—
The wonders of His glorious love,
    And my own worthlessness.
 
5  I take, O Cross, thy shadow,
    For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
    The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
    To know no gain nor loss—
My sinful self my only shame,
    My glory all the Cross.
 
Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane, 1830-69