The Invitation.
“Draw near with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament.”
Prayer Book.
Beloved of heaven! now draw ye nigh
Array'd in robes of charity,
(Your sacrifice, a weeping heart)
Who with repentance deep and stern
Would all the guilty past unlearn
And choose in Christ the “better part.”
A filial awe, not slavish fear
Each soul becomes that banquets here
Upon mysterious Bread and Wine;
Under whose shrouding vesture lies
A Presence, which no carnal eyes
Can witness in that wondrous Shrine.
Such manna of celestial food
Is not for angels, bright and good
Whom bleeding death-pangs never bought;
But contrite sinners there may feed
And find what lulls each aching need
With nourishment divinely-fraught.
Repent ye, with a perfect will
Touch'd by the Cross,—resolved to fill
Your onward life with praise and prayer;
So may ye take the meal ye dread,
Who hunger for that mystic Bread
Children of God in Jesus share.
But not the Church can conscience reach;
Her wisdom is, to guide and teach;—
Man's inward virtue still must be
A depth unknown, except to Him
With Whom transcendent Cherubim
Are but created vanity!
Dread Searcher of the deepest heart!
Who in Thy pure omniscience art
Reading all spirits through and through,—
In vain would cow'ring saints conceal
Emotions which the purest feel
When prostrate in Thy perfect view.
Rather in self-accusing blame
Renounce they ev'ry mortal claim,
And simply for Salvation trust
On Him who by atonement died
And by that death, as crucified,
Lifted man out of guilt and dust.
Jesus invites each guest to-day:
And by Himself (the living Way),
Kneeling adorer, draw thee nigh.
In Christ be calm; His comfort take
Who agonised for thy dear sake,
And heavenward lift the fainting eye.
Of this be sure,—no seraph-tone
Warbled around His radiant Throne,
Can thrill that ever-human chord
Which vibrates in Emanuel's breast,—
Like sighs to Him from saints who rest
And glory in His living Word;
For, by the Incarnation we
Converge far nearer Deity
Than angels, who around Him shine:—
Sinless they are, but saints are one
Communion with th' Eternal Son,
Adored as human and divine.
