253

DECK
ECK thyself, my soul, with gladness,

Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight's splendor,
There with joy thy praises render
Unto Him, whose grace unbounded,
Hath this wondrous banquet founded;
High o'er all the heav'ns He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.

2.Hasten as a bride to meet Him,

And with loving reverence greet Him;
For with words of life immortal
Now He knocketh at thy portal:
Haste to ope the gates before Him,
Saying, while thou dost adore Him,
“Suffer, Lord, that I receive Thee,
And I nevermore will leave Thee.'

3 Ah, how hungers all my spirit

For the love I do not merit!
Oft have I, with sighs fast thronging,
Thought upon this food with longing,
In the battle well-nigh worsted,
For this cup of life have thirsted,
For the Friend, who here invites us,
And to God Himself unites us.

4 Now I sink before Thee lowly,

Filled with joy most deep and holy, As with trembling awe and wonder

On Thy mighty work I ponder;
How, by mystery surrounded,
Depths no man hath ever sounded,
None may dare to pierce unbidden,
Secrets that with Thee are hidden.

5 Sun, who all my life dost brighten,

Light, who dost my soul enlighten,
Joy, the sweetest man e'er knoweth,
Fount, whence all my being floweth,-
At Thy feet I cry, my Maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blesséd food from heaven,
For our good, Thy glory, given.

6 Jesus, Bread of life, I pray Thee,

Let me gladly here obey Thee:
Never to my heart invited,
Be Thy love with love requited;
From this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
Through the gifts Thou here dost give me,
As Thy guest in heaven receive me.

J. Franck
C. Winkworth, Tr.

254

UST as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed fo“ me. And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot;
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3 Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
Ő Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4 Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6 Just as I am, Thy love unknown

Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

C. Elliott.

256

O LIVING Bread from heaven,

How hast Thou fed Thy guest ! The gifts Thou now hast given

Have filled my heart with rest.

O wondrous food of blessing,

O cup that heals our woes! My heart, this gift possessing,

In thankful song o'erflows.

2 My Lord, Thou here hast led me

Within Thy holiest place, And there Thyself hast fed me

With treasures of Thy grace: And Thou hast freely given,

What earth could never buy,The bread of life from heaven,

That now I shall not die.

3 Thou gav'st the food I wanted,

Its power can death destroy; And Thou hast freely granted

The cup of endless joy. Ah, Lord, I do not merit

The favor Thou hast shown, And all my soul and spirit

Bow down before Thy throne.

4 Lord, grant me, that thus strengthened

With heavenly food, while here
My course on earth is lengthened,

I serve with holy fear:
And when Thou call'st my spirit

To leave this world below,
I enter, through Thy merit,
Where joys unmingled fluw.

J. Rist.
C. Winkworth, Tr.

257

I
LAY my sins on Jesus,

The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us

From the accurséd load. I bring my guilt to Jesus,

To wash my crimson stains White in His blood most precious,

Till not a stain remains.

2 I lay my wants on Jesus;

All fullness dwells in Him: He heals all my diseases,

He doth my soul redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus,

My burdens and my cares: He from them all releases,

He all my sorrows shares.

3 I long to be like Jesus,

Meek, loving, lowly, mild: I long to be like Jesus,

The Father's holy Child.
I long to be with Jesus,

Amid the heavenly throng,
To sing with saints His praises,

To learn the angels' song.

H. Bonar.