“His Father saw Him!” Ah, those eager eyes
Had watched through many a dark and lonely night;
Watched ‘neath the silence of the midnight skies,
Till the dawn flooded them with sound and light!
“His Father saw Him!” After weary years
Of passionate yearning for the well-loved face,
Now to behold him, through joy’s sudden tears,
And feel the rapture of His Child’s embrace!
“His Father saw Him!” All those years of sorrow
Lost in that moment of ecstatic bliss
Peace for the past, and joy for all the morrow,
Given in the gladness of the Father’s kiss!
Is this a story but of Earth’s poor love?
Has it no deeper meaning to impart?
Has it no sweeter answer from above?
Does it not manifest our Father’s heart?
Whose is the love, so quenchless in its burning?
Whose is the patience which delights to wait
For the slow footsteps which are home returning—
For the lost sinner who is coming late?
Whose are the lips which utter no complaining—
Ne’er reproaches the repentant one,
Gives an embrace which knows no half refraining,
Shouts the acknowledgment of “This my Son”?
Whose is the heart that so divinely yearning
(Father and God, ’tis Thine, and Thine alone!)
Sees the first step the sinner takes returning,
Runs to embrace, and bid him “WELCOME HOME”?