THE LORD'S PRAYER IN ACROSTIC.
[THE acrostic reads, "My boast is in the glorious cross of Christ." The words in italics, read from top to bottom—left—and from bottom to top—right—form the Lord's prayer. By experts this is thought to be one of the most remarkable compositions on record.] Make known thy Gospel truths, our Father King;
Yield us thy grace, dear Father, from above;
Bless us with hearts which feelingly can sing,
"Our life thou art forever, God of love."
Assuage our grief in love for Christ, we pray,
Since the bright Prince of heaven and glory died,
Took all our sins and hallowed the display;
Infant being, first a man and then was crucified.
Stupendous God! thy grace and power made known,
In Jesus' name let all the world rejoice,
New labor in thy heavenly kingdom own:
That blessed kingdom for thy saints the choice.
How vile to come to thee is all our cry,
Enemies to thyself and all that's thine,
Graceless our will, we live for vanity,
Loathing thy very being, evil in design.
O God, thy will be done from earth to heaven;
Reclining on the Gospel, let us live
In earth from sin deliver and forgiven.
O! as thyself but teach us to forgive,
Unless its power temptation doth destroy,
Sure is our fall into the depths of wo.
Carnal in mind we've not a glimpse of joy
Raised against heaven; in us hope bestow,
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 stay.
O! grant each day our trespasses 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" will bless thy name.
In thy forgiveness we as saints can die,
Since for us and our trespasses so high,
Thy Son, our Saviour—bled on Calvary.