Hymn by Ryland (undated)

1

Hast thou to whom my [heart] is known

Describ’d ^it^ as a [heart] of stone

Sure when I look within I must

Acknowledge the description just

2

Not all the Terrors of thy Law

Could one impress my [heart] wth Awe

Its just Commands I disobey’d

Unmov’d its awful threats survey’d

3

So senseless was my [heart] and hard

It availd not Mercy’s wise regard

The blessed Saviour’s dying Groan

Once wd not move this [heart] of Stone

4

But thou canst form the [heart] afresh

Remove the stone, producing flesh

Creating tender, living flesh,

Taking the [heart] of stone away

Canst make

O take the [heart] of Stone away

And make me willing to obey.

5

O conquer my obdurate will

So long so obstinate in ill

Put a new spirit, Lord, within,

Alive to God, avese to sin.

6

Engrave thy Law upon my [heart]

New Lips, new Life, new Love impart

And make my [heart] thro Grace divine

O Lord in unison with thine.

Text: John Ryland Folder, RG no. 1126, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta. Note: Throughout the above hymn, in place of the word “heart” Ryland has inserted the heart symbol.