A True Friend
 
1. How kind the rebukes of a friend,
Who seeks not to tear, but to mend;
To know that they love me enough 
To risk being called both cruel and rough. 
 
2. Their love is a beacon that stands,
To lead my frail ship to safe land;
A pattern of  Him up above,
Who knows what it costs to put forth love. 
 
3. And though it be hard at the start 
To say I've a Judas-like heart;
True friends always point to the cross,
And bid me to count all else but loss. 
 
4. Like watchers on walls they do stand,
And cry out when dangers at hand;
Like surgeons who work on the heart,
They cut out the cancer from each part. 
 
5. Lord, take all the beams from my eyes,
And all the false speeches and lies,
That comfort the sinner in sin,
And make him think all is well within. 
 
6. And teach me to be such a friend,
Who sees where rebellion will end;
Then filled with all holy desire,
I'll work to pull souls out of the fire.