I stand at thy door tonight, Ο soul,
Outside thy closed door;
The watches are winging their flight, Ο soul,
Thine hour will soon be o’er.
I have left the golden glories of home,
Thy heart-housed guest to be;
By the manger, the cross, the tomb, I have come—
All for the sake of thee!
I am standing and knocking tonight, Ο soul,
Knocking full loud and long;
I would break that dream so bright, Ο soul,
That slumber so deep and strong.
Thou know’st not the hand, that is knocking now.
Was bleeding once on the tree;
And its lingering pulses sank faint and slow—
All for the sake of thee!
I am watching and waiting tonight, O soul,
I list for the faintest breath;
But there cometh nor sound nor sight, Ο soul,
All is still and dark as death.
Thou know’st not, these locks that the damp steeps through
While thy door is closed on me,
Were dyed one night with a heavier dew—
All for the sake of thee!
If thou wilt but hearken tonight, Ο soul,
I will gladly enter in;
Thou shalt robe thee in bridal white, Ο soul,
And our festive joy begin;
Thy crystal chalice its depths shall show,
Thou shalt pour out thine all to me;
Though briny and bitter the draft may flow,
I long to exchange with thee.
Oh, I will come in and sup, dear soul,
We will mingle thine and mine,
Thou shalt drink from my heart’s full cup, dear soul,
Thou shalt taste of the kingdom wine,
I will bring bright cheer from the board above,
A fellowship blest and free:
A glory of joy, a rapture of love,
And a heaven of song—for thee!
If thou wilt not open tonight, Ο soul,
In this fleeting hour of fate;
Then woe for thy hapless plight, Ο soul,
When thou standest at God’s shut gate.
If thou wilt not look on my woeful cross,
And mourn because of me,
Mine eye that can fathom a spirit’s loss,
Will weep for the sake of thee!
But the step that hath linger’d tonight, Ο soul,
Will leave its print at thy door;
And its echo thine ear shall smite, lost soul,
Forever and evermore.
Lo! dawn is breaking, serene and clear
From the brow of eternity!
Thou shalt waken to know that I once was near—
Would once have come in to thee. A. R. C.