"Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.”
Hark! the gracious Spirit speaking;
Will ye not the call obey?
Wherefore are ye still resisting?
Come, oh lingerer, come to-day.
Ye have halted long from coming,
Meaning to be saved at last,
Oh! my friend, while ye are lingering,
Christ may come—your day be past.
Now the Gospel ye hear sounding,
Now God's word ye daily read,
Yet with careless dire delaying,
Jesu's voice ye do not heed.
Have ye then no thoughts of loving
Him who suffered death for thee?
Oh! my friend, the Lord is waiting
Now, for you, so patiently.
Now the Holy Spirit striving,
Bids you on the Lord believe;
Happy in His service living,
Blessings without end receive.
But this "now" is quickly passing
Soon will close the day of grace
Then my friend ye will be praying,
But the Lord will hide His face.
Ah! ye know not now the blessing
Which ye idly cast aside,
Or ye would not it be spurning,
But would take the Lord for guide:
He a guide so true, so loving,
Brings His child through pastures green,
And, my friend, in sorrow's chastening,
Christ's great love is ever seen.
“Come to me for rest and blessing,”
Sweetly says that gentle voice,
“O’er the weary I am watching,
And will make their heart rejoice,
With a joy beyond all telling,
And that through all time shall last."
Oh! my friend, are you not resting
In this anchorage sure and fast?