BEHOLD I KNOCK!

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1877

Behold I knock! ’Tis piercing cold abroad This bitter winter-time; The ice upon the dark panes has not thawed, The earth is white with rime: O human hearts! are ye all frozen too, That at closed doors I vainly call to you? Is there not one will open to his Lord? Behold I knock!

Behold I knock! The evening shadows lie So peaceful near and far; Earth sleepeth—but in yonder cloudless sky Glimmers the evening star; ’Tis in such holy twilight time that oft Full many a stony heart hath waxed soft, Like Nicodemus, in the dark drawn night. Behold I knock!

Behold I knock! O soul, art thou at home, For thy Beloved’s here? Hast thou made ready flowers ere He should come? Is thy lamp burning clear? Know’st thou how such a Friend received should be? Art thou in bridal garments dressed for Me? Decked with thy jewels as for guests most dear? Behold I knock!

Behold I knock! Say not, “’Tis zephyr mild Which rustles the dead leaf;” It is thy Saviour, ’tis thy God, my child, Let not thine ear be deaf; If I come now in breezes soft and warm, I may return again upon the storm: ’Tis no light fancy—firm be thy belief; Behold I knock!

Behold I knock! As yet I am thy guest, Waiting without for thee; The time shall come when homeless and distressed, Thou, soul, shalt knock for me; To those who heard my voice ere ’twas too late, I open, in that hour, my peaceful gate; To those who scorned, a closed door will it be. Behold I knock!

—Christian Weekly.