Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 128

So grateful tears shall flow the faster, In founts of gladness from mine eyes!

--C. L. Ford.

Not I but Christ be honored, loved, exalted, Not I but Christ be seen, be known, be heard, Not I but Christ in every look and action, Not I but Christ in every thought and word.

JESUS, I LOVE THEE

Jesus, I love thee, not because I hope for heaven thereby, Nor yet because, if I love not, I must forever die.

I love thee, Saviour dear, and still I ever will love thee, Solely because my G.o.d, thou art, Who first hast loved me.

For me to lowest depth of woe Thou didst thyself abase; For me didst bear the cross and shame, And manifold disgrace;

For me didst suffer pain unknown, Blood-sweat and agony-- Yea, death itself--all, all for me, Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Saviour mine.

Should I not love thee well?

Not for the sake of winning heaven Nor of escaping h.e.l.l.

Not with the hope of gaining aught, Nor seeking a reward; But freely, fully, as thyself Hast loved me, O Lord!

Even so I love thee, and will love, And in thy praise will sing, Solely because thou art my G.o.d And my eternal king.

--Francis Xavier.

I'VE FOUND A JOY IN SORROW

I've found a joy in sorrow, A secret balm for pain, A beautiful to-morrow Of suns.h.i.+ne after rain; I've found a branch of healing Near every bitter spring, A whispered promise stealing O'er every broken string.

I've found a glad hosanna For every woe and wail, A handful of sweet manna When grapes of Eschol fail; I've found a Rock of Ages When desert wells were dry; And, after weary stages, I've found an Elim nigh--

An Elim with its coolness, Its fountains, and its shade; A blessing in its fullness When buds of promise fade; O'er tears of soft contrition I've seen a rainbow light; A glory and fruition So near!--yet out of sight.

My Saviour, thee possessing, I have the joy, the balm.

The healing and the blessing.

The suns.h.i.+ne and the psalm; The promise for the fearful, The Elim for the faint, The rainbow for the tearful, The glory for the saint!

PATIENCE OF JESUS

What grace, O Lord, and beauty shone Around thy steps below!

What patient love was seen in all Thy life and death of woe!

For ever on thy burdened heart A weight of sorrow hung; Yet no ungentle, murmuring word Escaped thy silent tongue.

Thy foes might hate, despise, revile, Thy friends unfaithful prove; Unwearied in forgiveness still, Thy heart could only love.

O give us hearts to love like thee, Like thee, O Lord, to grieve Far more for others' sins than all The wrongs that we receive.

One with thyself, may every eye In us, thy brethren, see That gentleness and grace that spring From union, Lord, with thee.

--Edward Denny.

True wisdom is in leaning On Jesus Christ, our Lord; True wisdom is in trusting His own life-giving word; True wisdom is in living Near Jesus every day; True wisdom is in walking Where he shall lead the way.

TELL ME ABOUT THE MASTER

Tell me about the Master!

I am weary and worn to-night, The day lies behind me in shadow, And only the evening is light; Light with a radiant glory That lingers about the west; My poor heart is aweary, aweary, And longs, like a child, for rest.

Tell me about the Master!

Of the hills he in loneliness trod, When the tears and the blood of his anguish Dropped down on Judea's sod.

For to me life's numerous milestones But a sorrowful journey mark; Rough lies the hill country before me, The mountains behind me are dark.

Tell me about the Master!

Of the wrong he freely forgave: Of his love and tender compa.s.sion, Of his love that is mighty to save; For my heart is aweary, aweary Of the woes and temptations of life, Of the error that stalks in the noonday, Of falsehood and malice and strife.

Yet I know that, whatever of sorrow Or pain or temptation befall, The infinite Master has suffered, And knoweth and pitieth all.

So tell me the sweet old story, That falls on each wound like a balm, And my heart that was bruised and broken Shall grow patient and strong and calm.

JESU

Jesu is in my heart, his sacred name Is deeply carved there; but the other week A great affliction broke the little frame, E'en all to pieces; which I went to seek; And first I found the corner where was J, After where ES, and next where U was graved.

When I had got these parcels, instantly I sat me down to spell them, and perceived That to my broken heart he was I EASE YOU, And to my whole is JESU.

--George Herbert.

SEALED

I am thine own, O Christ-- Henceforth entirely thine; And life from this glad hour, New life, is mine!

No earthly joy shall lure My quiet soul from thee; This deep delight, so pure, Is heaven to me.

My little song of praise In sweet content I sing; To thee the note I raise, My King, my King!

I cannot tell the art By which such bliss is given; I know thou hast my heart, And I--have heaven!

O peace! O holy rest!

O balmy breath of love!

O heart divinest, best, Thy depth I prove.

I ask this gift of thee-- A life all lily fair, And fragrant as the gardens be Where seraphs are.