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A SOUL'S CRY

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 17, 1881

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 7.

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A SOUL'S CRY.

By Christian Union

Ah, gracious Father, in the wide expanse Of thy great love, forgive that on the air I chanced to breathe forth bitter thoughts in prayer! Forged though my fetters by rude circumstance, Ne'er bride more gaily will her jewels wear Than I my bonds, if thou hast set them there; And all is of thy will and naught of chance.
If I have lightly held thy least command, Thou know'st who hear'st my foes, with one accord, "Sin is abomination to the Lord, And ill and error journey hand in hand." Their barbed arrows pierce my sick soul through, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do," Dies on my lips. Fain would I understand—
If I have grieved thee, Lord—my grave offense, That life from my parched lips withholds her wine To fill o'erbrimming other cups than mine. Thy feet these tears shall bathe in penitence. But show me, Father, why thou dost contend; No breath will I in weak complaining spend; But thrust mine error with a strong hand hence.
Child of my love, these plaintive accents cease. I know how truly thou hast loved my law, The Image of Mine Own long since I saw Close treasured in thy breast. Thou seek'st release From the dull woe that cumbereth thy prayer; Wouldst thou resign what whom I honor wear— The badge of suffering, my pledge of peace?
Thee I have given mine angels charge concerning; Thou dost not tread thine upland way alone, Nor shalt thou dash thy foot against a stone; They bear thee up, faint one, no step discerning; Though sense grow dim the spirit's vision clears; None ever missed his Father's house through tears, For its calm shelter still supremely yearning.
Up rugged steeps thou followest thy Chief And sufferest stripes another's fault hath earned: Hast thou forgot how once thy spirit burned To press the footsteps of this Man of Grief? Companion-chosen of the Sorrow-learned. Endure, thine eyes upon the hilltops turned; Joy cometh with the morning past belief. —Christian Union.