THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME.
By Marianne Farningham
“What is His name?” asked a heathen woman of a missionary who was talking to her of Jesus. “Tell me his name again. I do not want to forget it.” His name? Ah, sister of the darker brow,
The name of Jesus will not leave thee now.
Once taken to thy heart and memory,
It will remain a joy and strength to thee.
We pity thee that thou so late hast heard
The name which has thy love and wonder stirred,
And we half envy thee the strange, new bliss
Of learning all at once who Jesus is. We heard his name in many a cradle hymn,
When eyes shone brightly which are long since dim;
Our mothers used to speak it in their prayers;
Our fathers found it helped them in their cares.
We learnt to say it in our earliest years,
To make us good and take away our fears.
And all our lives, in want, or grief, or shame,
We have been comforted through this dear name. There is no other name that saves from sin
And makes on earth the life of heaven begin;
It binds us here below and those above
Together to the Father's heart of love.
It takes away from death its pain and sting,
And teaches the forgiven ones to sing;
It wakes the longing to be good and pure,
And gives us courage bravely to endure. The name of Jesus has most wondrous might;
'Tis inspiration, wisdom, guidance, light;
It summons men to duty secretly,
And, though none watch, they serve God loyally.
It is a trumpet call, and the great crowd
Responds when some high truth must be avowed;
It makes all seek the right and shun the wrong,
And fills the soul with joy, the lips with song. Who have not hearts to trust and eyes to see,
Dream not how much to them this name might be;
Salvation, hope, and love of righteousness
Have they who know how Jesus Christ can bless.
The highest life of earth to them is given,
And everlasting life with him in heaven;
O dark-browed sister who dost know his grace,
May we all see him one day face to face!