He sat by a furnace of seven-fold heat
As He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze
As He heated it more and more.
He knew He had ore that could stand the test
And He wanted the finest gold,
To mold as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems of price untold.
So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
The' we fain would say Him, "Nay";
And watched the dross that we had not seen,
As it melted and passed away.
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were dim with tears,
We saw but the fire - not the Master's hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o'er the fire, the' unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah no! but He sees thro' the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.
So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat
That was needed to make it pure.
Christ my Saviour, Christ my Friend
Christ my Treasure without end;
Christ when waves of sorrow roll,
Christ the Comfort of my soul.
Christ when all around should fail,
Christ when enemies prevail;
Christ when false accusers rise,
Christ my Solace in the skies.
Christ when days are dark and drear,
Christ when all around is clear;
Christ when all the earth is gone,
Christ my Portion on the throne.
Christ at home, and Christ abroad,
Christ my Company on the road;
Christ in sickness, Christ in health,
Christ in poverty and wealth.
Christ who once on earth has trod,
Christ the blessed "Son of God"
Christ for time and Christ for aye,
Christ for all eternity.