PS 3525 
 .U47 P6 
 1920 
 Copy 1 
 
 OEMS OF LIFE 
 
 BY VIDA MUNDEN 
 
POEMS OF LIFE 
 
 BY VIDA MUNDEN 
 

 N^^ 
 
 Respectfully dedicated 
 
 to 
 
 my first teacher, 
 
 R. H. HIGGINS. 
 
 Copyright, 1920 
 by 
 Vida Munden. 
 
 JUN 12)320 
 ©I1A570342 
 
IF WE ONLY KNEW 
 
 If we only knew 
 
 And justly would compare 
 The weight of our own burdens 
 
 With those that others bear, 
 Oft' we'd overtake a brother 
 
 Burdened with a heavy load, 
 And would think our burdens lighter 
 
 When we'd helped him o'er life's roaa. 
 
 If we only knew 
 
 And would with others share 
 Their gladness and their sorrow, 
 
 Their freedom and their care. 
 Life would be as radiant sunshine. 
 
 Growing brighter all the v/hile ; 
 Then we'd love each other better 
 
 And would smile a sweeter smile. 
 
 If we only knew 
 
 The crosses others bear. 
 Only knew their humble spirits 
 
 As they bow in secret prayer, 
 Perhaps we'd search ourselves more closely 
 
 For the faults that dwell within 
 And would judge our friends less harshly 
 
 When we'd found the hidden sin. 
 
 (3) 
 
If we only knew 
 
 The danger of sin's snare, 
 We would see with eyes more watchful 
 
 And of its fatal clutch beware ; 
 And if we knew that close behind us 
 
 Our loved ones would our steps pursue, 
 We would ever be more careful — 
 
 Yes, if then we only knew. 
 
 EXCELSIOR 
 
 Into the zenith far above — 
 
 That holy realm of boundless love — 
 
 The star decked region of the sky, 
 
 I gaze, I wonder as I lie 
 
 And count the bright, celestial gems 
 
 That deck earth's royal diadem; 
 
 But ere I Ve counted, in twinkles bright, 
 
 These innumerable meteors all unite 
 
 And form one grand, etheral mound 
 
 Eternal, endless, without bound. 
 
 Such peaks, such crags I visualize 
 
 In the mountain regions of the skies 
 
 That through life, then death our souls might 
 
 climb 
 To attain the heights of bliss sublime 
 
 (4) 
 
And ne'er a summit could we see 
 
 In this endless bliss of eternity; 
 
 For no bound can mark the heights of love 
 
 Nor mate the joy of heaven above. 
 
 Up higher — higher — higher still! 
 O Heart ! within love's raptures thrill ! 
 guide me on, thou tiny star, 
 Straight to the gate that stands ajar. — 
 Inspire me, lead me by thy light ; 
 Gleam thou upon me through the nigiit 
 Until my bosom swells with love 
 Divinely perfect as above. 
 
 ENDURANCE 
 
 ThoiTis grow among sweet roses 
 
 Whose fragrance fill the air, 
 The faces of bright posies 
 
 Are not forever fair; 
 There are sorrows mingled with gladness — 
 
 Joys only last for a while, 
 And then there comes a sadness — 
 
 But after all, breaks a smile. 
 
 There are cloudy days, dark and dreary. 
 There are chilling nights of gloom ; 
 
 There are times when the heart is weary 
 And the soul seems far from Home — 
 
 (5) 
 
The rains come down from heaven 
 
 And darken the zenith above. — 
 The heart is cleansed — we're forgiven, 
 
 Then shines the sunhght of love. 
 
 Should the year be ail of summer, 
 
 There would be no hope for the spring ; 
 Could a mortal heart ne'er murniur. 
 
 The soul would never sing. 
 Bright tints of vegetation 
 
 Shoot from the dark, cold sod ; 
 So, from earthly habitation, 
 
 The soul looks up to God. 
 
 To shadows the sunbeams dance sprightly. 
 
 The nightingale sings through the night ; 
 In the gloom a torch shines most brightly : 
 
 No darkness — no hope for the light, 
 So be patient, soul, in thy living; 
 
 Through death thine endurance shall chine ; 
 Though 'mid thorns, thy beauty be giving 
 
 Like the rose, spread thy fragrance sublime. 
 
 IF 
 
 If you begin in life's dark vale 
 To climb Mount Zion's summit. 
 
 Then when into sin's gorge you fall. 
 By struggling, you overcome it; 
 
 (6) 
 
If alone you tread along life's road, 
 
 A heavy burden bearing, 
 Then, weary, help a brother too. 
 
 His weight of sorrow sharing; 
 Or if you aim at lofty mark 
 
 And, failing, aim still higher; 
 If you can stand with steady faith 
 
 And speechless, daunt the liar; 
 If you can build a tower high 
 
 And yet in heart be humble. 
 Then see it fall, rebuild its walls. 
 
 Nor shriek to hear it tumble ; 
 If you can smile at poverty's grin 
 
 Or laugh at misfortune's scorning; 
 If the ache from the thorn of grief you soothe 
 
 Through your hope for the rose of morning ; 
 If you can tune you heart to sing 
 
 Sweet songs when it is breaking; 
 If you have courage to endure 
 
 Distress when your nerves are quaking ; 
 If you can stand when comrades fall. 
 
 The banner of constancy waving. 
 Firm, undaunted, for justice and law, 
 
 Throughout the battle you're braving, 
 When ''Victory!" is echoed far away, 
 
 If in the end you've won it. 
 Then count yourself a hero brave 
 
 And tell the world you've done it. 
 
 (7) 
 
TRUE GREATNESS 
 
 There are actions prompted by duty ; 
 There are motives prompted by love ; 
 
 The life we live 
 
 Is the deed we give 
 To the God of heaven above. 
 
 There are proud hearts thirsty for greatness; 
 There are those who vain riches seek ; 
 
 But heaven's dews fall 
 
 Upon the simple — the small — 
 The lowly — the humble — the meek. 
 
 There are pleasures that last for a season. 
 And treasures — yea, great hoards of gold ; 
 
 But the cost of good name 
 
 Is not fortune or fame, 
 But the heart of rich secrets untold. 
 
 SONG OF SERVICE 
 
 'Tis better to serve than be served. 
 And better to give than receive — 
 Just simply to say 
 In a humble way, 
 "Here am I, dear Lord, I believe." 
 
 (8) 
 
Tis better to trust, having faith, 
 With a constant hope ever bright, 
 
 Than gain the world 
 
 When the soul is hurled 
 Into the ravines of night. 
 
 The peasant who toils sings a song; 
 The king on his throne bows in care ;- 
 
 'Tis noble to live 
 
 When service we give — 
 Submissive, abiding in prayer. 
 
 DEVOTION 
 
 Into every life it steals. 
 Unto every heart appeals — 
 This, God's gift of sacred love, 
 Handed down from heaven above — 
 True devotion. 
 
 'Tis the unity of bliss. 
 Atmosphere of holiness, 
 Peaceful state in which to live, 
 Precious gift that hearts may give- 
 True devotion. 
 
 (9) 
 
'Tis a grand, ennobling trait, 
 Man to God it doth relate, 
 Binding in affection's ties 
 Earthly kindred to the skies- 
 True devotion. 
 
 MAKE LIFE WORTH WHILE 
 
 Make life worth while ! 
 Treat it with a high regard. 
 Not as something to discard, 
 Let it not by sin be marred — 
 
 Keep it pure. 
 
 Make life worth while! 
 Keep it free from sin's vile stain. 
 To its highest aims attain, 
 Count it not as something vain. 
 
 But worth while. 
 
 Make life worth while ! 
 Something worthy of a price, 
 Bought by self's own sacrifice. 
 Let its virtues know no vice — 
 
 Keep it clean. 
 
 (10) 
 
Make life worth while ! 
 Keep it ever clean and pure, 
 Brave its battles and endure 
 And its crown you will procure 
 
 After while. 
 
 THE WATER LILY 
 
 On the bosom of the river 
 
 A little flower grew, 
 A little lily, white and fair. 
 
 No blight its beauty knew. 
 
 In the splendor of its beauty, 
 
 With petals open wide, 
 The lily grew while there reposing 
 
 On the bosom of the tide. 
 
 And a fragrant little flower 
 Was this lily, white and fair, 
 
 Sending forth across the water 
 Scents of sweetness in the air. 
 
 But alas! its petals shedded 
 As it withered with decay, 
 
 And the river that had blessed it 
 Bore its scattered form away. 
 
 (11) 
 
So with life, my friend, we're living . 
 
 On the bosom of its tide ; 
 Though we be not pure as lilies. 
 
 Like fragrance, mission spreads out wide. 
 
 And when old age life's youth shall wither, 
 
 When like the lily we decay, 
 Then the God who long hath blessed us 
 
 Will our spirits bear away. 
 
 THE RIPPLING BROOK 
 
 *'0 thou tiny, rippling brook. 
 
 Rushing so swiftly by, 
 Why dost thou run so cheerfully, 
 
 Never stopping to sigh ? 
 
 *'Dost thou never weary grow 
 
 Of running all the day ? 
 How strange that you should always run 
 
 And never stop to play." 
 
 ''Come, go with me, my little maid, 
 
 For I have no time to stay ; 
 Just follow me and a lesson learn 
 
 As we journey on the way." 
 
 (12) 
 
So on and on the tiny stream ran, 
 
 But the gay little maiden stayed ; 
 Its wild, ceaseless journey it still pursued 
 
 As on she busily played. 
 
 'Though a small, rippling streamlet, a pond you 
 can fill; 
 
 By your power a great mill is turned." 
 Such were the thoughts of the inspired youth 
 
 And this is the lesson she learned : 
 
 That whatever our mission, some good w^e can do, 
 Though to us the deeds may seem small ; 
 
 We too, may, by littles, in our own feeble way 
 Thus willingly help the great all. 
 
 JUST A TINY SEED 
 
 'Tis so simple, indeed — 
 
 Just a dry little seed, 
 
 But strange when we learn all about it ; 
 
 Just to beat up a clod 
 
 Of earth's fertile sod. 
 
 Then plant it and see nature sprout it. 
 
 (13) 
 
It bursts forth in sight 
 
 To the air and sunlight 
 
 And raindrops upon it patter ; 
 
 Then later 'twill be 
 
 A great fruitful tree 
 
 And seed of its own fruit scatter. 
 
 So it is with a deed 
 
 Just as with the seed — 
 
 If we plant it as through life we're sowing, 
 
 Into life it will sprout 
 
 And toward heaven peep out 
 
 And keep growing — and growing — and growing. 
 
 THE FOUR SEASONS 
 
 Springtime came and brought forth leaves 
 
 To clothe the naked forest trees 
 And filled the air with sweet perfume 
 
 Of fragrant flowers in their bloom. 
 Just o'er the woodland hill was heard 
 
 The song of the merry mocking bird. 
 
 The sunbeams danced, the days were wanii, 
 
 The busy bees began to swami. 
 And in the gladness of the spring 
 
 New life was in most everything; 
 But summer, with its golden rays. 
 
 Brought changes to the fleeting days. 
 
 (14) 
 
Bursting buds into leaves had grown, 
 Wee birdies from their nests had flown ; 
 
 The beautiful flowers that bloomed in May 
 Had everyone withered and faded away, 
 
 While new ones peeped through the sparkling dew 
 As if the glories of morning to view. 
 
 Ripe fruit bent low the orchard bowers 
 That were in spi'ing adorned with flowers 
 
 Tiny seeds, in springtime sown, 
 Had then into rich harvests grown. 
 
 And autumn, with its sickle, came 
 To harvest in the golden grain. 
 
 In the season's sunny glow 
 
 The golden corn was bending low; 
 
 The orchard trees with fruit were bent 
 As if to thank God Who sent 
 
 The bountiful harvest of the year 
 And glorious season of good cheer. 
 
 The modest heads of the goldenrod 
 
 In the gentle breeze did nod ; 
 Green leaves had changed to colors bright 
 
 And with the wind, were taking flight; 
 They fluttered by, then down they lay, 
 
 While autumn gently passed away. 
 
 (15) 
 
And then came winter's chilling blast 
 
 With its host of snow-flakes flying fast ; ^ 
 
 Whirling 'round and 'round, they settled down 
 And spread a white carpet on the ground. 
 
 The merry snowbirds danced in glee 
 And twittered their joyful jubilee. 
 
 Just as the beautiful days of May 
 Changed to a golden summer day ; 
 
 Just as autumn's goldenrod 
 
 Was trampled into wintei-'s sod, 
 
 So the dead, cold days of winter change 
 Into the live warm days of spring. 
 
 BACK TO THE FARM 
 
 Back to the farm with all its charms, 
 Back to the hills and rippling rills ; 
 Back to the woodland where children roam, 
 Back to that palace "Home Sweet Home." 
 
 Back to the fields with their bounteous yields. 
 Back to the sun, the work and fun; 
 And then for a ride on a load of hay 
 At the breezy close of an autumn day. 
 
 (16) 
 
Back to the light of the homefires bright 
 And the jolly, good jokes of the old homefolks, 
 Where they tell the old stories Grandfather told- 
 Those childhood stories which never grow old. 
 
 Back for a rest at the place I love best, 
 Where the mind is free and the heart in glee, 
 Where the soul is in worship with heaven above, 
 At earth's holy temple of friendship and love. 
 
 A FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE AND A SMILE 
 
 When your sad heart is repining 
 And clouds show no silvery lining; 
 
 When your faintest hope has faded 
 And with gloom your life is shaded, 
 
 Tis boosting, yea, 'tis then worth while — 
 Just a friendly handshake and a smile. 
 
 When the world seems to ignore you 
 And its door is closed before you; 
 
 When with patience you've been knocking. 
 You think it kind, yet somewhat shocking. 
 
 When someone meets you after while 
 With a friendly handshake and a smile. 
 
 (17) 
 
When life's steps you shall have counted 
 And its topmost rung surmounted; 
 
 When at last fame shall have crowned you, 
 How noble then to look around you 
 
 And greet your booster after while 
 
 With a friendly handshake and a smile. 
 
 BE A LITTLE SUNBEAM 
 
 Be a little sunbeam, a shining ray of light, 
 
 With your smiles of gladness make this old world 
 
 bright ; 
 Cheer someone in sorrow^ stir some heart with 
 
 mirth ; 
 Help the Savior scatter peace to all the earth. 
 
 Be a little sunbeam, drive away the night ; 
 Brighten life's horizon with your morning light. 
 Though dark clouds obscure you and none your 
 
 light can view, 
 The clouds will break away, then all will shine 
 
 anew. 
 
 Be a little sunbeam of the heavenly sun (Son) ; 
 Shine with all your might ere life's short day is 
 
 done; 
 When life's light shall have faded far in the golden 
 
 west, 
 Let it then be said that you have done your best. 
 
 (18) 
 
WHICH DAY WAS THE BRIGHTER? 
 
 I awoke one bright, sunny morning 
 
 And peeped through my window to view 
 The beautiful flowers awakened 
 
 And bathed in the sparkling dew. 
 But I, in my drowsiness, idled 
 
 The golden morning away, 
 And my heart caught no ray of sunshine — 
 
 'Twas a gloomy, dreary day. 
 
 I awoke one dark, cloudy morning 
 
 And saw, on my window pane. 
 That the clouds in great drops were shedding 
 
 Their tears of falling rain. 
 But my heart caught the tune of their patter 
 
 And danced with them in their spright — 
 The sun smiled out in its radiance 
 
 And life was a rainbow bright. 
 
 LIFE IS LIKENED TO: 
 
 AROSE 
 'Twas beautiful and fair. 
 And I thought it rare, 
 But its piercing thorns I dreaded; 
 Next morning I picked 
 This rose, — vainly pricked 
 My fingers. — The petals shedded. 
 
 (19) 
 
A MOUNTAIN 
 
 I began to climb 
 
 Life's mountain sublime 
 
 And up its steep was stepping-, 
 
 When I looked far below, 
 
 Hurled a dart at my foe. 
 
 And alas ! my feet were slipping. 
 
 A ROAD 
 
 I traveled life's road 
 
 With a heavy load, — 
 
 Shaip stones were wounding my feet 
 
 Till the cross I found. 
 
 Sin's burden laid down, 
 
 Then life's feeble steps became fleet. 
 
 A DAY 
 
 Life's morning, they say, 
 
 Is the brightest of day. — 
 
 While its shadows fall to the west. 
 
 Are we catching the gleams 
 
 Of the bright sunbeams ? 
 
 I say, are we doing our best ? 
 
 (20) 
 
THE LAST TWILIGHT 
 
 At evening when the last twihght 
 
 Gleams o'er the western hills, 
 As the darkness of the gloomy night 
 
 My rugged pathway fills, 
 I think of the day past and gone 
 
 And oh ! how sad the thought 1 
 As memory presses to my heart 
 
 The worthless works I've wrought. 
 
 then how I wish to recall the day 
 
 And labor for the right ! 
 How I wish that my rugged, gloomy way 
 
 Be flooded with sunlight! 
 Yet I cannot recall the day past, 
 
 Nor erase the record of time ; 
 But if the future I spend right, 
 
 'Twill make my life sublime. 
 
 At evening when life's last twilight 
 
 Gleams o'er the hills of time. 
 When the darkness of death's gloomy night 
 
 Hangs o'er our path with crime, 
 Will we have spent the day of life 
 
 In working for the right 
 Or, by worthless labor, will there be 
 
 No hope to give us light? 
 
 (21) 
 
LIFE'S HILL 
 
 'Tis a hard, bitter pill 
 
 When you start up life's hill 
 
 Hand in hand with friends you confide in 
 
 And perchance you look 'round 
 
 Just as they fall down, 
 
 And you see them go downward slidin'. 
 
 'Tis a long way to go 
 
 From the valley below 
 
 To the loftiest peak of life's mountain 
 
 When you're journeying alone 
 
 Over boulder and stone 
 
 And each weary step you are countin'. 
 
 It is awfully hard 
 
 When you pathway is barred 
 
 By obstructions that boldly confront you, 
 
 And then when you try 
 
 To slyly slip by 
 
 The foe hurls his darts to daunt you. 
 
 Now here and then there 
 
 Is a fiend's fatal snare 
 
 Set for pilgrims who are not careful ; 
 
 So, lest in dismay 
 
 We be snatched from the way. 
 
 Dear friend, lets' ever be prayerful. 
 
 (22) 
 
'Tis a straight, narrow way 
 
 That leads unto day 
 
 And few there be that find it ; 
 
 Though the just, through death's night; 
 
 Will climb to life's height 
 
 Where the hill throws its shadow behind it. 
 
 LIFE'S LADDER 
 
 Life's ladder we climb 
 
 To the heights sublime — 
 
 'Tis a long, long way to the top ; 
 
 And it takes lots of pluck 
 
 To ever get up — 
 
 Reach higher — climb upward — don't stop. 
 
 Don't ever look dovvn 
 
 And upon others frown 
 
 Just because they're climbing below ; 
 
 But you'd better keep step 
 
 Lest your own feet should slip 
 
 And downward you tumble below. 
 
 There are others ahead 
 Who the same steps have led, 
 And upward they're climbing still ; 
 So don't stop to count 
 The rungs that you mount, 
 But follow them up with a will. 
 
 (23) 
 
Take your troubles and pa-ck 
 
 Them all on your back 
 
 And start up the way with a grin ; 
 
 Just take each new task, 
 
 Like a rung, with a grasp 
 
 And when you have finished you'll win. 
 
 When life's highest aim 
 
 You shall have attained, 
 
 Pray, boost those who after you climb ; 
 
 Just give them a cheer 
 
 When they're climbing near, 
 
 'Twill make life supremely sublime. 
 
 MISSION 
 
 In some strange, mysterious way. 
 Controlled by Mother Nature's sway, 
 
 God with love doth bind all hearts 
 
 And to each creature grace imparts ; — 
 
 Yea, God, Who counts the sparrow's fall, 
 Doth in His wisdom care for all. 
 
 He maketh all to understand 
 The power of His mighty hand, 
 
 And by their own instinct impelled, 
 Are all to their own mission held. 
 
 Well may it so be understood 
 
 That God thus planned it for our good. 
 
 (24) 
 
The little bird He taught to sing 
 
 And food unto her young ones bring; 
 
 The eagle gave He wings to fly ; 
 The seipent in the dust doth lie ; 
 
 And mankind, in God's image made, 
 Was cursed because he disobeyed. 
 
 God loveth all, both great and small, 
 
 And talent gave He unto all. 
 Though trodden underneath sin's sod, 
 
 Still is it visible to God ; 
 And when He comes to count His gain. 
 
 No trust will He the slothful deign. 
 
 help me, God, for Thee to live 
 And unto Thee my talent give. 
 
 Not for glory I may gain. 
 But by humility attain 
 
 A lofty vision for the soul 
 
 And, onward pressing, reach the goal. 
 
 MY PRAYER 
 
 God, I ask not that my path 
 Be ever filled with light ; 
 
 1 only ask that Thou mays't lead 
 
 My faltering steps aright. 
 Nor do I ask that Thou, life's sky 
 From every cloud should clear ; 
 
 (25) 
 
I only ask that throug-h the storm, 
 
 Thou, in Thy strength, be near. 
 Make not my burdens always light — 
 
 Teach me my cross to bear. 
 Thus make me abb to escape 
 
 The tempter's fatal snare. 
 Give not to life the eagle's wings. 
 
 Nor wings of sudden flight ; 
 But let me, step by step, surmount 
 
 The summit's lofty height. 
 And as I to the boulders cling. 
 
 When hope for life seems vain, 
 give me courage to endure 
 
 The agony of pain. 
 give me faith, my Lord, I pray. 
 
 The jagged cliffs to climb, 
 That upward, still, my soul may press 
 
 Toward realms of life sublime. 
 
 OUT ON LIFE'S SEA 
 
 Out on life's sea we are adrift 
 
 At chance of fate or life ; 
 Lest our course should lie with the currents swift, 
 For us there is constant strife. 
 Though we need not fear 
 If aright we steer; — 
 Press onward, friend, be brave ! 
 
 (26) 
 
Between us and the other side 
 
 Now rolls the foaming surge. 
 Beware ! for death's dark, fatal tide 
 The wrecked life doth submerge. 
 My friend, be wise 
 Lest at sui-prise 
 The billows sink thy soul. 
 
 The billows dash, the breakers roar, 
 
 And fatal seems the night ; 
 But see ! on yonder peaceful shore 
 Shines forth eternal light. 
 Press onward, soul. 
 Toward the goal, — 
 The light beams on thy way. 
 
 courage, rise ! why dost thou die 
 
 So near the blissful shore ! 
 Sad ! sad ! and awful is their cry 
 Who sink to rise no more. 
 soul, be strong! 
 It is not long — 
 The shore is just ahead. 
 
 (27) 
 
"TIME YET" 
 
 'Time yet", we hear the sinner say 
 
 Without a tear or sigh ; 
 'Time yet to heed the Savior's call ; 
 
 Time yet before I die." 
 
 The Spirit lingers, all is still — 
 'Time yet," the heart doth say, 
 
 "Days still are bright, I'll wait until 
 A more convenient day." 
 
 Days glide away and years roll by. 
 
 The Savior knocks again; 
 'Time yet" is the sad, rejecting cry. — 
 
 Once more His pleadings wane. 
 
 The door is locked, the Savior grieves, 
 "Time yet", so sad to hear! 
 
 Yet once more is His loving voice 
 Heard in the stubborn ear. 
 
 Still He waits with listening ears, 
 With a sad and thorn-crushed brow 
 
 And gently whispers, "Let Me in; 
 Take time to open now." 
 
 (28) 
 
And lingering near that dying soul, 
 
 Oh ! how it breaks His heart 
 To hear the words, 'Time yet for me ; 
 
 Holy One depart!" 
 
 Gently — gently. He knocks again: 
 
 "Time yet," is still the cry; 
 Rejected, grieved, mocked and spurned, 
 
 He sadly passes by. 
 
 "Time yet" is then the awful cry, 
 " Time yet' has made me late ; 
 
 Time yet' has been the ruin of life 
 And now leads to my fate." 
 
 WITHIN THE CELL OF SELF 
 
 wretched heart ! why dost thou slumber 
 
 In thine iron prison cell ? 
 Count thyself among the number 
 
 Easing slowly down to hell? 
 Ah! within are shadows driven 
 
 By the rays against thy walls ; 
 The soul from peace hath sorrow riven, 
 
 Its hope despondency appalls. 
 
 (29) 
 
Break these selfish bars asunder 
 
 That Thy love, Lord, beam within ; 
 Let me view once more with wonder 
 
 Life beyond the shades of sin : 
 Farther reaching, more achieving, 
 
 Heaven's beauty let me see; 
 Service giving, joy receiving, — 
 
 Freedom — light — eternity. 
 
 AT THE DOOR 
 
 O Spirit, why dost Thou linger 
 At the threshold of my heart ! 
 
 With Thy knocking I am weary. 
 Wilt Thou not once more depart ? 
 
 But oh! 'tis the self-same Stranger 
 Who so oft' has knocked before. . 
 
 Can I still afford to slight Him, 
 Or shall I undo the door ? 
 
 this Friends, so kind and patient, 
 It gives me grief to cast away; 
 
 Yet now, Christ, I can't confess Thee : 
 Depart until another day. 
 
 But another day may not be granted ! 
 
 My soul, suppose this snould be true ? 
 Turn the bolt! but it is rusty; 
 
 The door, it seems, I can't undo. 
 
 (30) 
 
still the pierced hand is knocking, 
 Saddened is the thorn-crushed brow, 
 
 Touched with pity are his whispers. 
 But I cannot heed them now. 
 
 Knocking, knocking ; yes, still knocking 
 At this tightly fastened door ! 
 
 Yet, once more, and He may never 
 Thus disturb me any more. 
 
 how can I still reject Him! 
 
 How can I bear to grieve Him so ! 
 Demons drive away my pity. 
 
 And so I bid the Savior go. 
 
 But hark ! again I hear Him knocking. 
 Once more do I hear His cry; 
 
 Still He lingers at the threshold 
 And I cannot pass Him by. 
 
 Thee, Christ, have 1 rejected. 
 Often have I spurned Thy word ; 
 
 Yet, with listening ears so patient. 
 Thou, my cry, hast kindly heard. 
 
 Now this bolted door I open. 
 Giving up the things within ; 
 
 This proud heart I now surrender — 
 I will let my Saviour in. 
 
 (31)