Each pang that human weakness knows,
Obeyed that powerful word;

He spake, and lo! the sick arose,
Rejoicing in his Lord.

Father of Jesus! when oppressed
With grief and pain we lie,
And, longing for thy heavenly rest,
Despair to look so high,

Oh

may the Saviour's words of Within the wounded heart,

peace,

Bid every doubt and suffering cease,
And strength and joy impart.

THE TESTIMONY OF MIRACLES.

35

XIX.

THE TESTIMONY OF MIRACLES.

JOHN V. 16-47.

The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. — Verse 36.

HOLY Son of God most high,
Clothed in heavenly majesty!
Many a miracle and sign,
In thy Father's name divine,
Manifested forth thy might,
In the chosen people's sight.

But, O Saviour! not alone,
Thus thy glory was made known.
Kindly human wants relieving,
Gently with the mourner grieving,
Far thy matchless power above,
Stands the witness of thy love.

Thou who by the open grave,
Ere thy voice was raised to save,
Didst with those fond sisters shed
Tears above the faithful dead;
Even thy word of might appears
Less resistless than thy tears.

When upon the fatal tree
Thou didst writhe in agony,
Had that pain in triumph ended,
Hadst thou royally ascended,
Less sublime had been thy power,
Than thy patience shone that hour.

Lord! it is not ours to gaze
On thy works of ancient days;
But thy love, unchanged and bright,
More than all those works of might,
More than miracle and sign,
Makes us ever, ever thine.

JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

37

XX.

JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

JOHN VII.

-

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Verse 37.

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees. And they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. — Verses 45, 46.

In all the pomp of the glorious East,
Rose the last great day of Judea's feast.
The sun was flashing on mount and plain,
But brightest on that majestic fane,

Where Herod had lavished his wealth and power
On court and piazza and airy tower.
Widely around the city lay

The festal booths in their bright array;

On street and square and roof were seen
Thousands of tents of foliage green;

The vine, the fir, and the cedar gave
Their branches in that high feast to wave,
In memory of Jehovah's grace

When the tent was Israel's dwelling place.
But when the sun o'er Olivet's crown
Glanced to the vale of Kedron down,
Jerusalem sent her sons abroad

To the spacious courts of the house of God.

The altar's smoke o'er the Temple hung,
And the lays of the prophet-king were sung,
While adoring Judah bent the knee

In that dread home of the Deity.

Soon a band of priests, from Siloa's fount, Brought the cool, pure wave to the sacred mount, And with shout and psalm the tribute poured Beside the altar of the Lord.

Then rose that voice, which still and clear,
Yet breathes at times on the mental ear,
But the full rich sound of whose awful tone
Was granted to that far age alone.

"If any man thirst, let him come to me;
He shall drink of the wave of eternity."
And a murmur spread through the crowd around,
"The prophet, the Christ of God is found!".

They gathered with looks of wonder and awe,
While he spake of God's most holy law.
He taught with a mien as void of fear

As if he knew not his foes were near.

There were dark stern faces amid the throng,
Their hearts were fierce, and their hands were strong;

But it was not yet their destined hour,

And they felt controlled by a higher power,

In the Teacher's calm, majestic eye,

In his words of truth and piety.

Back to their haughty lords they came,
Guarding no captive, with looks of shame.

Why have ye thus our commandment broken?"
Never man spake as this man hath spoken!"