HATRED FOR LOVE by Lilla D. Avery

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 21.

HATRED FOR LOVE.

By Lilla D. Avery

“They hated me without a cause.” John 15:25.

They hated me! the King of life and glory, Who left for them the Father's home above, And dwelt on earth, a poor and friendless stranger; They gave me hatred in return for love! They nailed my body to the cruel tree, I died to save them!—and they hated me!

They hated me; and yet I gave them kindness; I bore the cross of suffering and pain; I cured the lame; I healed the wretched leper, I touched the dead, and life returned again! I calmed the waves of raging Galilee, And yet, they doubted, scorned, and hated me.

They hated me, and spurned me from their dwellings, I had no place whereon to lay my head, Where'er I turned I suffered shame and rudeness, A life of sadness and of grief I led. The boastful ruler and the Pharisee, With scorn derided, jeered, and hated me.

They hated me, and oft when worn and weary, I longed for kindness, but they gave me scorn; And oft I wandered o'er the mountains dreary From morn till night, from weary night till morn. I healed the sick, and made the blind to see, And yet without a cause they hated me!

They hated me, but ah! a day is coming When clothed with majesty I shall appear; When scornful foes shall cry in vain for mercy, And hatred deep shall turn to sickening fear; And from my face mine enemies shall flee, Who once had crucified and hated me.

Speed on the day! my burdened spirit crieth, And come again, my long, long absent Lord, For, lo, midst wickedness thy Zion lieth, And thy blest children wait for their reward, When righteousness shall reign from sea to sea, And saints shall judge the men who hated thee!

LILLA D. AVERY.

Locke, Ingham Co., Mich.