“Master, where dwellest thou?” He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour.” John 1:3838Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (John 1:38).
“How sweet to recall the varied links by which the Lord has bound our hearts to his!”
Lord! ‘twas Thy voice of love first bade me “Come!”
And find redemption at Thy wondrous cross;
A weary, wandering, child, Thou brought’st me home—
Rescued from sin, from sorrow, and from loss!
Again I hear that word, above earth’s noise,
Sounding across life’s dark and stormy sea;
Ο may the deep attraction of Thy voice
Draw me from all around, to follow Thee!
From earthly scenes and ties, however sweet,
From all that here would backward hold my heart;
I would go forth, with footsteps firm and fleet,
To be with Thee, dear Lord, where’er Thou art!
Smooth let the waves of life be, Lord, or rough,
Without Thine arm to lean on, I must fall;
But while upheld, by Thy sustaining grace
Calmly I walk, superior to them all.
And as I gaze upon Thee where thou art,—
The vague, wild tumult of life’s inner sea,
The feverish throbbings of this restless heart,
Are calmed, as, risen Lord! I walk with Thee.
For since I’ve seen Thee seated far above,
At God’s right hand in yonder glorious sphere,
The light which led me to that place of love
Revealed the wreck of everything down here!
All longings stilled, while gazing on Thy face;
My heart would find with Thee its quiet home:
And o’er life’s waves, through Thine unfailing grace,
Would walk, responsive to Thy gentle “Come!”
The long night watch of life will soon be o’er,
‘Tis sweet to pass it, blessed Lord, with Thee;
My hands in Thine; until on yonder shore,
Fair land of peace! I rest eternally.
A. S. O.