True faith producing love to God in man,
Say, Echo, is not this the Gospel plan?
Echo—The Gospel plan!
Must I my faith in Jesus constant show
By doing good to all, both friend and foe?
Echo—Both friend and foe!
When men conspire to hate and treat me ill,
Must I return them good, and love them still?
Echo—Love them still!
If they my failings causelessly reveal,
Must I their faults as carefully conceal?
Echo—As carefully conceal!
But if my name and character they tear,
And cruel malice, too, too plain appear;
And when I sorrow and affliction know,
They smile, and add unto my cup of woe,
Say Echo, say, in such peculiar case—
Must I continue still to love and bless?
Echo—Still to love and bless!
Why, Echo, how is this? thou’rt sure a dove;
Thy voice will leave me nothing else but love!
Echo—Nothing else but love!
Amen, with all my heart, then be it so;
And now to practice—I’ll directly go,
Echo—Directly go!
This path be mine, and let who will reject,
My gracious God me surely will protect!
Echo—Surely will protect!
Henceforth on Him I’ll cast my every care,
And friends and foes, embrace them all in prayer.
Echo—Embrace them all in prayer!