A MOTHER'S APPEAL.
“And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked
those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased.”
JESUS, my Lord, Thou meek and holy One,
I came to Thee all sad and full of grief;
Drawn by Thy love, and that kind, gracious tone,
That bade the weary come, and find relief:
Thou didst receive me; Thou hast given me rest;
My burden 's gone; my heart is light, and blest.
But, O my Lord, I have an infant here,
Too young to come itself, or pray, to Thee;
And, while my mother's heart so holds it dear,
She knows 't was born in sin and misery:
E'en now I see its evil passions move;
A child of fallen man,-the babe I love.
May I approach Thee with my little one?
Is it too mean to lay it at Thy feet?
Lord, Thy disciples, with disdainful tone,
Bade me to take away my infant sweet;
But, oh! I feel, deep in my mother's heart,
More pitiful than they, my Lord, Thou art.
For Thou, O Lord, Thyself wast once a child,
Wrapped in Thy swaddling clothes; but even then
Thy name was JESUS, holy, undefiled;
And Thou didst enter, like us sinful men,
A helpless infant on this world of woe;
Was it not, Lord, Thy grace for babes to show?
I ask no worldly portion for my child;
I seek not of Thee gold, or rank, or fame:
Save it from sin; from human passions wild;
An interest in Thy love is all I claim.
Lord, make it Thine-Thine only-is my plea,
To love, and serve, and live alone for Thee.
My suit is granted, Lord! Thou hast a frown
For those that chide me, but a smile for me;
Thou hast rebukes to break their proud hearts down,
That would keep back a little child from Thee:
My child is in Thine arms-'tis on Thy breast;
Yea, Thou dost bless it; and it shall be blest.