A PRAYER FOR THE OPPRESSED.
By Mary G. Brainard
Thou whose mission here below
Was to let the captive go ;
Thou, anointed to impart
Healing to the broken heart ;
Opening wide the prison door,
Preaching gladness to the poor,
Let all fettered souls go free,
Give bruised spirits liberty. Look on those too gladly bound
By the chains themselves have wound ;
Look on eyes that look on sin,
Where it leadeth following :
Wake those dreaming spell-bound eyes
To behold those miseries ;
Captive lead captivity,
Give those bond slaves liberty. Look where any heart alone
Makes to thee its silent moan ;
On another's side the power,
With itself no comforter ;
Bravely meeting bitter wrong
With one trust, unfailing, strong ;
O, thou Man of Sorrows, see,
Give those captives liberty. Thou, the once despised, oppressed,
Look where any weary breast
Struggles with its noblest thought,
Lest the germ to speech be brought,
Bound by those whose proud control
Fain would fetter e'en the soul.
Breathe on such, O spirit free.
Where thou art is liberty ! Patient, silent God, awake !
Save the meek for Jesus' sake ;
Let right triumph over might,
Put all tyranny to flight ;
Make all government to be
Subject, King of kings to thee :
Lord of love of Calvary,
Give this bruised earth liberty.