O breath of God, breathe on us now,
and move within us while we pray;
the spring of our new life art thou,
the very light of our new day.
O strangely art thou with us, Lord,
neither in height nor depth to seek:
in nearness shall thy voice be heard;
Spirit to spirit thou dost speak.
Christ is our advocate on high;
thou art our advocate within:
O plead the truth, and make reply
to every argument of sin.
But ah, this faithless heart of mine!
The way I know, I know my guide;
forgive me, O my friend divine,
that I so often turn aside.
Be with me when no other friend
the mystery of my heart can share;
and be thou known, when fears transcend,
by thy best name of Comforter.
Alfred Henry Vine (1845-1917)