DO YOU KNOW THE WORDS TO THIS POEM?

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Do you know the words to this poem?
Have you learned to love the cross?
Have you learned of the shelter in His side?

If you have, I want to wash your feet with my tears
and tell you how much I love you, my Father's son
and my brother, my sister.

Jack


Yes, I was living to myself — was dead:

Self — with its hopes and dreams was all I had;

But soon the Lord fulfilled my prayer to know

The power of His cross — ’twas death below.

I asked contrition — He sent me pain;

For purity — but anguish came again;

I asked I might be meek — He broke my heart;

I asked — I knew not what — the better part.

I asked to know what death was to the world,

And quickly all my living hopes were spoiled;

I asked to be like Him — His image bear —

He placed me in a furnace, sitting there

Like one refining silver, till He see

The reflex of His image bright in me.

I asked that I the daily cross might bear,

It lacerated me — the wounds I wear;

I blindly prayed, not knowing how, nor what,

He took me at my word — it mattered not.

Then I began to shrink from following near,

And well-nigh prayed Him to depart through fear.

To suffer was not pleasing to the flesh,

I feared to pray lest suffering come afresh;

But I had gone too far — on I must go —

The virtues of His cross had pierced me through.

In me His promise now fulfilled must be —

Suffer with me, and you will reign with me!”

Ah, I had only heard of love — but now

I feel it, Oh! I feel its living glow.

He fastened on me such a look of love,

Withering to self — tender, all words above;

Follow I must, whatever may betide;

I love the cross — I shelter in His side!

J Preston Eby


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