DEAR Christian friend, whene’er I think of thee,
And all the kindness thou hast shown to me—
To me so undeserving of that love,
Which still it is my happiness to prove—
I feel my very heart within me burn,
And fain would yield thee something in return.
But ah, I cannot, and full well I know
Thou dost not seek a recompense below;
’Twas love to Jesus set thy heart on flame
To teach my youthful lips to praise His name,
And guide my footsteps in the narrow way
That leads to regions of eternal day.
Oft have I listened with untold delight,
While thou hast pictured to my fancied sight
How Jesus left His glorious home on high,
Where He had dwelt from all eternity,
To bleed and die that I might be forgiven,
And one day go to dwell with Him in heaven.
Long did’st thou labor, until One above
Looked down in mercy on thy work of love,
Opened my heart, like Lydia’s, to receive
Those truths that bid the dying sinner live;
And oh, the riches of His grace divine,
He told me I was His, and He was mine.
Ah, how I loved thee then! Thy company
Was sweeter far than aught beside to me.
I scarce could live without thee; and my heart
Ne’er entertained a thought that we must part.
But He whose judgments are unsearchable
Soon robbed me of the friend I loved so well;
’Twas very hard, and yet He made me prove
That all was mercy, all was done in love,
To show how wondrous is His power to keep
Even the least of His defenseless sheep.
Yes, He has kept me, and full well I know
His mighty hand will never let me go.
To Him be all the glory, all the praise;
Awake, my soul, and sing redeeming grace.
Oh may my future walk and conduct prove
How much to Him I owe, how much I love.
He, He redeemed me, and to Him be given
All praise and glory both in earth and heaven.
Farewell, dear friend, and may a Father’s hand
Conduct thee safely to that far off land,
Where thou shalt dwell forever with thy Lord,
To share with Him a glorious rich reward;
And I, when all my days on earth are past,
Shall shine a jewel in thy crown at last.