Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life'��s alarms when by myself I stand; Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.
My heart is weak and poor until it master find; It has no spring of action sure, it varies with the wind. It cannot freely move till Thou has wrought its chain; Enslave it with Thy matchless love, and deathless it shall reign.
My power is faint and low till I have learned to serve; It lacks the needed fire to glow, it lacks the breeze to nerve. It cannot drive the world until itself be driven; Its flag can only be unfurled when Thou shalt breathe from heaven.
My will is not my own till Thou hast made it Thine; If it would reach a monarch'��s throne, it must its crown resign. It only stands unbent amid the clashing strife, When on Thy bosom it has leant, and found in Thee its life.
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George Matheson was a Scottish theologian and preacher.
He was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated first in classics, logic and philosophy. In his twentieth year he became totally blind, but he held to his resolve to enter the ministry, and gave himself to theological and historical study.
However, he was academically gifted, and his sisters learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew to help him study. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh (MA 1862), then became a minister in the Church of Scotland. He pastored in the resort town of Innelan for 18 years; due to his ability to memorize sermons and entire sections of the Bible, listeners were often unaware he was blind. In 1886, Matheson became pastor of St. Bernard's Church in Edinburgh, where he served 13 years. He spent the remaining years of his life in literary efforts.