Classic Poem

THE PASSION OF JESUS .

The Garden.

Wrestling in agony,
Wrestling alone;
Weary for human love,
Finding none.

While over Olivet
Sleeps the moon-light,
Whose is that broken prayer
Troubling night?

What are those drops of blood
Falling like rain,
Wrung from that heart of Thine
Man of pain?

Anguish unspeakable
Writ on Thy brow, —
Suppliant Sufferer,
Who art Thou?

The Way of Sorrows.

Hark, in thy bosom's depths
Speaks He to thee,
" Child of My dying love,
Follow Me.

" Shall I not drink the cup
My Father gave? —
Drink it, when drinking it
Thee will save?

" Buffeted, spitted on,
Loaded with scorns,
Smitten, scourged, purple-robed,
Crown'd with thorns;

" Onward to Golgotha;
There I must die;
All for the love of thee;
It is I. "

The Seven Words upon the Cross.

Nail'd to the bitter wood;
Never a groan:
Bearing our guilt and sin,
Not His own.

Sun of my soul, canst Thou
Suffer eclipse?
What words are those from Thy
Quivering lips?

" Father, forgive them " the
Crucified prays:
And Him the Father hears,
Hears always.

Listen, the dying thief
For mercy sighs: —
Calmly He promises
Paradise.

Two from His pierced feet
Cannot depart —
Listen, He speaks and knits
Heart to heart.

Darkness wraps earth and sky:
Night at midday:
Moments like centuries
Pass away.

Hark, through the gloom is heard
One dreadful cry,
" Thou hast forsaken Me,
Father, why? "

Oh that abandonment!
Oh death accursed!
What means that plaint of woe,
That " I thirst " ?

Hark, " It is finish'd. " Thy
Warfare is done;
Death and hell grappled with;
Victory won.

" Father, I breathe to Thee
That Thou hast given. "
Now is there peace betwixt
Earth and heaven.

The Appeal.

" Child of My agonies,
Bought with My blood,
Ransom'd from Satan's thrall,
Saved for God;

" Come to Me, weary one,
Come to My breast:
Here in My bleeding wounds
Hide and rest.

" Come to My Father's feet,
Come without fear: —
I am thy Advocate,
Always near.

" Drink of the Spirit's grace,
All things are thine:
I am thy heritage,
Thou art Mine. "

The Response.

" Yea, Lord, I give myself
Wholly to Thee:
Only Thy priceless love
Give Thou me.

All I have, all I am,
Body and soul,
Nothing refuse I Thee;
Take the whole.

Only abide with me,
Lord, to the end;
Jesus, Emmanuel,
Saviour, Friend.

And when Thy time is come,
Let me adore
Thee in Thy home of light
Evermore.