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141

April 26 CHRIST CRUCIFIED AFRESH

“They crucify to themselves the Son of God, . . . and put him to an open shame.”—Heb. vi. 6.

O must I once again be born
As erst into thy mortal flesh,
And piercèd be by hatred's thorn
Or with denial scourged afresh?
O must I carry still thy yoke,
Wherewith this Heart of Mercy broke?
O must I yet again be left
By all my servants sad and lone,
Beggared of joy, of peace bereft,
And with no pillow but a stone?
O must I, for my cruel kin,
Be offered yet a “curse” and “sin”?
O must I stoop again to shame
And with a daily torment burn
In fires that do blaspheme My Name
And to a cold false world return?
O must I die because I love,
And strive to draw lost souls above?
O must I come to earth again
And raise once more my bitter cry
To suffer what thy deeds ordain,
Dear sinner, yet on Calvary?
O must the Cross be lifted there,
To shed its shadow everywhere?
142

O yes, I would a thousand times,
If Love Divine could be so vain,
Suffer for all the coasts and climes
To bring one sinner home through pain;
O yes, such sacrifice were small,
Were I not Saviour now of all.
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