(Miss Fiske, who has labored so long and successfully amongst the Persian women, says that, as she was one Sunday sitting faint and weary on a mat on the ground, during the meeting, and was longing for rest, a woman came and placed herself behind her, so as to support her; and on Miss Fiske’s declining to lean upon her, she drew her back, and said, “If you love me, lean hard.” Then came the Master’s voice, repeating, “If you love me, lean hard.” Thus body and soul found support and refreshment.)
Softly and gently these words were breathed,
To the loved one thus first addressed,
As she sat on the ground in a faroff land,
Whilst her weary worn frame craved rest.
The Persian offers her firm, strong form
As a living prop and stay,
But the pressure so light shows that she who leans
Fears lest she too heavily weigh.
Love wants the whole burden upon herself cast,
And deems it a deep joy to bear:
“If indeed, then, you love me, lean hard,
Ο I lean hard Is her tender, importunate prayer.
And the Holy Comforter echoed the words,
In the depths of the fainting one’s soul;
And she felt that her Savior’s love required
All her cares she should on Him roll.
And thus, while the body support and stay
Found by leaning in trustful love,
The soul, in its weakness, was learning to rest
On the unseen but strong Friend above.
My Savior, these words bring a lesson from Thee ï
For, alas! I as yet but half trust;
I know not what ‘tis to take hold of strength;
Thus often fall prone in the dust.
Yet He who has borne the dread load of my sins
Will surely my weaknesses bear;
He who takes up the isles as a very small thing
Cannot sink ‘neath the load of my care.
He has carried my sorrows, and borne all my griefs,
And still is almighty to save;
That my weakness should rest on His infinite strength,
Surely well from His child He may crave.
He bids me to lean my soul wholly on Him,
For without Him I tremble and fall;
And with deep thankful joy I obey, and respond
To His loving, compassionate call.
In quiet repose, like a babe on the breast,
Would I rest, gracious Savior, on Thee:
I am weakness itself, but Thou,
Thou art my strength—Thine arms everlasting clasp me.
Oh! teach me at all times on Thee to lean hard,
And show thus how truly I love;
Keep me close to Thyself, ever bound to Thy side,
Till I lean on Thy bosom above.
F. E. W.