A Literary Curiosity

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1871

A Literary Curiosity.

The following is one of the most remarkable compositions we have ever met with. It evinces an ingenuity peculiarly its own. The initial capital letters spell, “My boast is in the glorious cross of Christ.” The words in italics, when read on the left side from top to bottom, and on the right side from bottom to top, form the Lord’s prayer, complete.

Make known the gospel truth, our Father King. Yield up thy grace, dear Father, from above, Bless us with hearts which feelingly can sing, Our life thou art for-ever, God of love! Assuage our grief in love for Christ, we pray, Since the Prince of Heaven and glory died, Took all our sins and hallowed the display, Infant be-ing, first a man and then was crucified, Stupendous God! thy truth and power made known; In Jesus’ name let all the world rejoice. Now labor in thy heavenly kingdom now. That blessed kingdom for thy saints the choice. How vile to come to thee, is all our cry: Enemies to thy-self, and all that’s thine; Graceless our will, we live for vanity; Loathing the very be-ing, evil in design, O God, thy will be done from earth to Heaven; Reclining on the gospel, let us live, In earth from sin delivered and forgiven, O, as thyself but teach us to forgive. Unless it-s power temptation doth destroy; Sure is our fall into the depths of woe. Carnal in mind, we’ve not a glimpse of joy Raised against Heaven; in us no hope we know. O, give us grace and lead us on thy way; Shine on us with thy love, and give us peace. Self and this sin that rise against us slay, O, grant each day our trespass-es may cease; Forgive our evil deeds that oft we do; Convince us daily of them to our shame; Help us with heavenly bread; forgive us too Recurrent lusts, and we’ll adore thy name. In thy forgive-ness we as saints can die, Since for us and our trespasses so high, Thy Son, our Saviour, died on Calvary. —Sel.