In the secret of His presence

1
In the secret of His presence
  How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
  Which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares can never vex me,
  Neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me,
  To the secret place I go.
2
When my soul is faint and thirsty,
  ’Neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter,
  And a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me,
  As we hold communion sweet;
If I tried, I could not utter
  What He says when thus we meet.
3
Only this I know: I tell Him
  All my doubts and griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens!
  And my drooping soul He cheers;
Do you think He ne’er reproves me?
  What a false friend He would be,
If He never, never told me
  Of the sins which He must see.
4
Would you like to know that sweetness
  Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow;
  This shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence
  Of that happy meeting-place,
By the Spirit bear the image
  Of the Master in your face.
(Repeat the last line of each stanza)
5
Richard Housel

Long Island, NY, United States

Goreh, Ellen Lakshmi, daughter of the Rev. Nehemiah Goreh, a Christian convert, a Brahmin of the highest class, was born. at Benares, Sept. 11, 1853. Her mother died in Dec. the same year, and the child was adopted first by a Mr. Smailes. Through the Mutiny in 1857 Mr. Smailes lost his property, and the child was then taken into the family of the Rev. W. T. Storrs and brought to England, where she was educated, and resided until 1880, when she returned to India to take up mission work with her own countrywomen. Through Miss F. R. Havergal's advice and influence Miss Goreh published From India's Coral Strand: Hymns of Christian Faith [1883]. The best known of these hymns is "In the secret of His Presence" (Jesus all in all).

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Courtesy of hymnary. org


Michele Troughton

Vallejo, CA, United States

Lord, may we bear Your image in our face. Make us those who know that sweetness of the secret of the Lord. Hallelujah. Psalm 90 and 91.

This tune is so beautiful.


Evan Grant

United States

Does anyone who wrote this particular tune?


Lukas

Great song!


Craig Hall

Los Angeles, CA, United States

Hallelujah for the secret place of His presence. I really appreciate stanza three, which says that we tell Him all our doubts and griefs and fears. This touches the Lord as the great High Priest. He is inwardly moved and motivated by our weakness to take action to care for us. All our weakness intensifies His intercession for us. The result is our spirit is uplifted and cheered. We should never be afraid of our weakness and doubts, but bring them to the Lord. Eventually we will be saved to the uttermost by our wonderful High Priest. Praise the Lord Jesus!!