James Montgomery

The Lighthouse.

The lighthouse founded on a rock,

Casts o'er the flood its radiant eye,

Firm amidst ocean's heaviest shock,

Serene beneath the stormiest sky.

Though winds and waters rage and foam,

Though darkness lowers like Egypt's night,

Here peace and safety find a home;

In this small Goshen there is light.

Nor for itself it stands alone,

The seaman's friend, it shines from far,

As though an angel from the throne

Came down to be his leading star.

It warns to shun the breakers near,

Smooth into port the vessel guides,

Points where a wider course to steer,

Shows how to 'scape conflicting tides.

Thus built upon eternal truth,

High in mid-heaven o'er land and sea,

Christ's Church holds forth to age and youth

A beacon and a sanctuary.

Light, peace, and safety dwell within,

Abroad its sunbright beams display,

Clear from the rocks and shoals of sin,

Through life and death, the one good way.