_
Mark envied the sailors.
_Comfort every sufferer_
_Watching late in pain._
This was a most encouraging couplet. Mark did not suppose that in the
event of a great emergency--he thanked Mrs. Ewing for that long and
descriptive word--the sufferers would be able to do much for him; but
the consciousness that all round him in the great city they were lying
awake at this moment was most helpful. At this point he once more
waited five seconds for sleep to arrive. The next couplet was less
encouraging, and he would have been glad to miss it out.
_Those who plan some evil_
_From their sin restrain._
Yes, but prayers were not always answered immediately. For instance he
was still awake. He hurried on to murmur aloud in fervour:
_Through the long night watches_
_May Thine Angels spread_
_Their white wings above me,_
_Watching round my bed._
A delicious idea, and even more delicious was the picture contained in
the next verse.
_When the morning wakens,_
_Then may I arise_
_Pure, and fresh, and sinless_
_In Thy Holy Eyes._
_Glory to the Father,_
_Glory to the Son,_
_And to thee, blest Spirit,_
_Whilst all ages run. Amen._
Mark murmured the last verse with special reverence in the hope that by
doing so he should obtain a speedy granting of the various requests in
the earlier part of the hymn.
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