IX.

LORD, COME AND SEE!

--_John_ xi. 34.

Come to my heart as unto Bethl’hem’s grot, A hovel-home that love despises not: Can love transform it to a pleasant spot? Lord, come and see!

Come to my heart as once to Bethany: A brother’s grave is there, and piteously Are tears and supplication calling Thee: Lord, come and see!

How flocked of yore unto Thy blessed feet The sick, the sad, Thy mercy to entreat! I too have needs Thy pitying eye to meet: Lord, come and see!

Come, lay Thy hand upon each leprous stain; Come with Thy word of might the fiend to chain; The open festering sore, the hidden pain, Lord, come and see!

Come to my heart, this dull cold heart of mine, All irresponsive to a love divine; What lacks it to become Thy hallowed shrine? Lord, come and see!

Happier by far than in the olden days Judea’s glorious Temple--what delays Its song and sacrifice, its prayer and praise? Lord, come and see!

Perchance, like Temple Courts, doth sinful stain, The world’s loud trafficking, the greed of gain Thy Father’s house, the house of prayer profane: Lord, come and see!

Come, Holy One, I yield myself to Thee; E’en scourge in hand, come, Lord and Love, to me. What change shall make me Thine, Thine utterly? Lord, come and see!