The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith ... Revised by the Author: Coll. ed. |
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[I have heard a cry of wailing] |
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 | The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith |  |
[I have heard a cry of wailing]
“Surely I come quickly. Even so,
come, Lord Jesus.”—Rev. xxii. 20.
I have heard a cry of wailing
Running through the troubled years,
As of expectation failing,
As of sorrow unavailing,
As of rising doubts and fears.
Running through the troubled years,
As of expectation failing,
As of sorrow unavailing,
As of rising doubts and fears.
For the Church is weary, waiting
'Mid the world's unceasing hum,
And its scorning and its hating,
And its fury unabating;
And the Lord is slow to come.
'Mid the world's unceasing hum,
And its scorning and its hating,
And its fury unabating;
And the Lord is slow to come.
Ah! the thoughtlessness of sorrow!
Well for us He came not soon,
Well He cometh not to-morrow,
Well He lets us wait, and borrow
Light of many a waning moon.
Well for us He came not soon,
Well He cometh not to-morrow,
Well He lets us wait, and borrow
Light of many a waning moon.
True, the Church is sighing, weeping:
But her work, how is it done?
Is she well His vineyard keeping?
What of harvest is she reaping?
Has the world for Him been won?
But her work, how is it done?
Is she well His vineyard keeping?
What of harvest is she reaping?
Has the world for Him been won?
And the Virgins, are they waking?
Are the Talents growing more?
Or the Servants merry-making,
And of drunken feast partaking,
While He lingers near the door?
Are the Talents growing more?
Or the Servants merry-making,
And of drunken feast partaking,
While He lingers near the door?
Was there ever in her story
Any hour of golden fame
'Mong the ages, young or hoary,
When His coming back in glory
Would not cover her with shame?
Any hour of golden fame
'Mong the ages, young or hoary,
When His coming back in glory
Would not cover her with shame?
Yet I hear the voice of wailing
Still above the busy hum,
As of expectation failing,
As of sorrow unavailing—
Ah! the Lord is slow to come!
Still above the busy hum,
As of expectation failing,
As of sorrow unavailing—
Ah! the Lord is slow to come!
| The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith | |