p. 9 | I HAVE SEEN THEE by Mrs. Ogden Lewis

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1896

I HAVE SEEN THEE.

By Mrs. Ogden Lewis

BY MRS. OGDEN LEWIS.

I LOVE thee, precious Saviour; I have seen thee thrice to-day, Once a traveler worn and weary, Once an orphan by the way;

Once, by faith, at twilight hour, I have seen thee, and thy word Gave the sweet and blest assurance That mine evening prayer was heard.

First I heard thee gently knocking, And I hurried to the door; For I knew it was thee tapping, I had heard thee there before.

There I found thee nearly famished, Trembling on the pauper’s brink, For the want of tender pity, Loving smiles, refreshing drink.

“Ah,” I said, “come in, dear Master, Rest a while, then thou shalt feast; Here’s a drink to cool the throbbing— Thou art truly of the least!”

Hope lit up thy weary visage And reflected on my heart; All my aches and pains had left me, Tho’ I’d played a humble part.

And new light broke forth like noonday, All my darkness fled away; For one ray from thy grand presence Turns e’en midnight into day.

Then, again, ’twas by the wayside, Clothed in rags—a little child, Thou wast dirty, homely, crying, As I kissed and on thee smiled,

Took my snowy, clean, white linen, Brushed the dirt and sweat away, Said, “Come, darling, be my loved one; Come and with me always stay.”

Hope again had found a welcome; All thy sobbings quickly ceased; This the “last” that I had chosen, This to feed and clothe—the least.

Now, again, my soul was feasting From bright, refreshing rays, While I felt that I was nothing, That to thee was all the praise.

Thirdly, at my bedside kneeling, When the sun had fled from sight, I was asking for thy keeping Through this dark and stormy night.

Ah! I heard thee gently whisper— As by faith I saw thee there— Saying, “I will never leave thee, Nor forget thy faithful prayer;

“Thou shalt call and I will answer; I will feed thy soul in drought; Thou shalt be a watered garden, Spring whose water faileth not.

“Thou hast seen me poor, afflicted, Hast fulfilled the ‘Inasmuch,’ And the kingdom of my Father Shall be opened unto such.”

Precious Saviour, I’m unworthy Of thy promises so free, But I know that thou art worthy, And will give the praise to thee.

Come again, for thou art welcome; Tho’ I’m busy as a bee, I will take the time; poor traveler, Come again and sup with me.