THE SIGHES OF THE CHURCH.
By George E. Price
How LONG, O loving Jesus, must we wait
For thee to come and take us home with thee?
We yearn so earnestly to see thy face,
And know that thou hast made us ever free. Our lot is fallen in a world of woe,
And sin is all about on every side.
Thy thoughtless creatures here transgress thy laws,
And count as naught for what a Saviour died. Thine earth is steeped in sin and guilt and woe,
And yet man boasts of wondrous light and grace,
Who knows not what it is to love thy voice,
Or see the light that comes from thy dear face. Thus is the world in sin and darkness bound;
It spurned thy love and would not hear reproof;
And wilt thou still its day of grace prolong,
And leave us here amid this woe and grief? And yet, O loving Jesus, we could bear
All this, and everything that thou dost say,
For thou hast promised in thy holy word
To grant us grace sufficient for our day. We could endure the taunts and scorns of men
Who say in truth they do not know thy fear;
But, oh, what sorrow fills our inmost hearts
When those who name thy name oppress us here! O Jesus! look in pity on thy church;
She ever needs thy presence here below;
Her elder sisters, rich and gay and grand,
But vile apostates, mercy do not know. And yet, O holy, kind, indulgent God,
We own that we in duty are not bold;
Because iniquity doth so abound,
Our love, our love to thee hath waxen cold. A cloud of darkness rests upon our minds;
The trouble thou hast made known in thy word
Is coming on us; Satan mocks our fears,
And rushes to destroy us. Help us, Lord. We long to live as did thy church of yore,
When holy prophets stood before thy face,
And, having heard thy truth, could but declare
Thy truth unto a lost, rebellious race. Then, though the hosts of darkness rage around,
And work with mighty wonders, far and near,
Yea, though their miracles deceive a world,
We would but trust and pray and thou wouldst hear. We have endeavoured to obey thy voice;
Thy law was sweet unto our hearts of old;
We keep thy laws; thy will is our delight.
Oh, help us; make us strong and make us bold! Night of thick darkness comes upon us fast;
O Jesus, be our help, our shield, and stay;
Support us till the world her race has run,
And sounding trumpets tell of coming day! Oh! grant that day may hasten on apace
When thou wilt come and take us home with thee;
We then will praise thy name forever more,
For thou hast died, our souls from sin to free.