Draw Near in This Dark Night

Jesus, thy love and light I long to know;
Draw near in this dark night of loss and woe:
My wounded spirit fears pain's long duress;
Eyes blinded by my tears dread sightlessness.

Rebellion's fierce onslaught thy voice can still;
The void within me nought but thou canst fill:
There is no peace, no rest, apart from thee;
E'en joys by thee unblest bring pain to me.

There comes a wave of deep and strong desire
That o'er my soul doth sweep and I aspire
To pure, abiding joy, to perfect love--
To peace without alloy, gift from above.

Come, heal my wounded heart, thou gentle Friend;
Bid all my fears depart, my anguish end:
Only when thou doest dwell within my breast,
My longing dost thou quell, and give me rest.

By Victoria Booth Demarest