Long in darkness we have waited

Long in darkness we have waited
For the shining of the Light;
Long have felt the things we hated
Sink us still in deeper night.

Now, at last, the Light appeareth,
Jesus stands upon the shore;
And with tender voice He calleth,
“Come to Me, and sin no more! "

Nothing have we but our weakness,
Naught but sorrow, sin, and care;
All within is loathsome vileness,
All without is dark despair.

All our talents we have wasted,
All Thy laws have disobeyed;
But Thy goodness now we've tasted,
In Thy robes we stand arrayed.

Thou hast saved us — do Thou keep us,
Guide us by Thine eye divine;
Let the Holy Spirit teach us,
That our light may ever shine.
Blessed Jesus, be Thou near us,
Give us of Thy grace to-day;
While we're calling, do Thou hear us,
Send us now Thy peace, we pray.