Hymns from the East Part 9

I

I brought my merits to the throne, And set them forth in order there; I said, "O Lord, Thy servant own, And let his brow the garland wear; The grace and virtue of his life, He won as victor in the strife."

II

The song that erstwhile filled the place, Where high the throne of Christ was set, Grew faint, as on each pensive face Joy mixed with pain, and pity met;-- Their song had told the debt they owed, And how the Christ His grace bestowed.

III

O, silence fell, so sharp and chill,-- My soul to meanness pined and shrank, Forth went my cry in accent shrill, "My Lord, have I no grace to thank?"

Its echo dying, lingered, sank, "My Lord, have I no grace to thank?"

IV

I saw His pierced hands and side, I saw the thorn-wounds on His brow,-- "My Lord, forgive my sinful pride, Accept my sore repentance now;"

Then rose high heaven's adoring prayers, My grateful song went forth with theirs.

I

The time is drawing nigh, Even now the day is near, When Christ from heaven high To Judgment shall appear;-- Keep watch, my soul, in fear, The Judge of men is near.

II

Then kings and princes great, The rich and poor shall meet; And high and low estate, Shall gather round His feet;-- Keep watch, my soul, in fear, The Judge of men is near.

III

No crafty words shall mar, Nor sophistry distract; No parrying counsel jar With the eternal fact;-- Keep watch, my soul, in fear, The Judge of men is near.

IV

O Christ, in mercy then, Forbid my soul should go With lost and ruined men Down to the place of woe;-- Keep watch, my soul, in fear, The Judge of men is near.

ASPIRATIONS

I

I sought the Lord at early morn, When earth awoke to see the light; And to my soul a light was borne That quelled the darkness of my night; He heard my prayer at early morn, And light into my heart was borne.

II

I sought the Lord when noontide shone, And head and hand earth's duties shared; "I am Thy servant, Lord, alone,"

I said, and told Him how I fared; He heard my prayer as I drew near, And kept me at my task, sincere.

III

I sought the Lord when evening fell, And night came gliding on apace; For I had sins my Lord to tell, And He is full of pardoning grace; He heard my prayer, and bade me rest, And in His love my soul was blest.

IV

At morn, at noon, at night I'll pray, And Thou, O Lord, my prayer wilt hear, For Thou art near my path alway, To aid, to comfort, or to cheer; No hour too early, none too late, To knock imploring at Thy gate.

V

O Jesus Christ, to Thee be praise, 'Tis Thou hast taught my soul to pray, For Thou didst speak with G.o.d always, At morn, at noon, at close of day; And Thou hast said He hears the prayer, The longing soul breathes everywhere.

I

O, touch my heart, and bring to mind The sin I should deplore; And give me grace, Thou G.o.d most kind, That I may sin no more.

II

O, touch my heart till tears run fast, In penitence sincere; And may the memories of the past Teach me to walk in fear.

III

For I have strayed, and Thou hast sought, And I have strayed again; O, may the wanderer Thou hast brought Within Thy fold remain.

IV

O, touch my heart, till love arise, And claim me for Thine own; Then shall I learn with glad surprise, That I am Thine alone.

V

For love knows no divided heart, Nor grudges service given; But gives the life in every part, And serves in earth and heaven.

I

The wealth of high estate, The silver and the gold, The glory of the great, The wisdom of the old,-- Death seizes all, they pa.s.s away, For all on earth is vanity.

II