GETSAMANE
Wrestling in agony, / wrestling alone;
Weary for human love, / finding none.
While over Olivet sleeps / the moonlight,
Whose is that broken prayer / troubling night?
What are those drops of blood / falling like rain,
Wrung from that heart of Thine, / Man of pain?
Anguish unspeakable / writ on Thy brow,–
Suppliant Sufferer, / who art Thou?
THE WAY OF SORROWS
Hark, in thy bosom’s depths / speaks He to thee,
“Child of My dying Love, / follow Me.
“Shall I not drink the cup / My Father gave?–
Drink it, when drinking it thee / will save?
“Buffeted, spitted on, / loaded with scorns,
Smitten, scourged, purple-robed, / crowned with thorns:
“Onward to Golgotha; / there I must die;
All for the love of thee: / it is I.”
THE SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS
Nailed to the bitter wood; / never a groan:
Bearing our guilt and sin, / not His own.
Sun of my soul, / canst Thou suffer eclipse?
What words are those from / Thy quivering lips?
“Father, forgive them,” / the Crucified prays:
And Him the Father hears, / hears always.
Listen, the dying thief / for mercy sighs:–
Calmly He promises Pa / radise.
Standing beside His Cross, / kinsfolk, and friend,
Mary, and Magdalene / wait the end:
Two of them henceforth are / mother and son,
Broken hearts by His word / bound as one.
Darkness wraps earth and sky: / night at midday:
Moments like / centuries pass away.
Hark, through the gloom is heard one / dreadful cry,
“Thou hast forsaken Me, / Father, why?”
Oh that abandonment! Oh / death accursed!
What means that plaint of woe, / that “I thirst?”
Hark, “It is finished,” / Thy warfare is done;
Death and hell grappled with; / victory won.
“Father, receive My soul,” / His latest breath,
Jesus, the Lord of life, / sleeps in death. Amin.
THE APPEAL
“Child of My agonies, / bought with My blood,
Ransomed from Satan’s thrall, / saved for God;
“Come to Me, weary one, come / to My breast:
Here in My bleeding wounds / hide and rest.
“Come to My Father’s feet, / come without fear:–
I am thy Advocate, / always near.
“Drink of the Spirit’s grace, / all things are thine:
I am thy heritage, / thou art Mine.”
THE RESPONSE
“Yea, Lord, I give myself wholly / to Thee:
Only Thy priceless love / give Thou me.
“All I have, all I am, / body and soul,
Nothing refuse I Thee; / take the whole.
“Only abide with me, / Lord, to the end;
Jesus, Emmanuel, / Savior, Friend.
“And when Thy time is come, / let me adore
Thee in Thy home of light / evermore.” Amin.