Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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A CHRISTIAN'S PLEADING. |
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A CHRISTIAN'S PLEADING.
“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin
thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech
thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner
of Jesus Christ.”
—Philemon, 8 and 9.
Statesmen have pleaded—for applause,
And some for sordid pelf;
The patriot—for his country's cause;
The lover—for himself.
And some for sordid pelf;
The patriot—for his country's cause;
The lover—for himself.
But statesman, patriot, lover—ne'er,
In passion, or pretence,
Appeal'd to heart, or eye, or ear,
With deeper eloquence,
In passion, or pretence,
Appeal'd to heart, or eye, or ear,
With deeper eloquence,
Than these few simple words make known
To those who feel their force,
Whose eyes can see, whose hearts can own
Their pure and holy source.
To those who feel their force,
Whose eyes can see, whose hearts can own
Their pure and holy source.
234
What is that source? A heart renew'd
By grace, from God above;
With meekness, gentleness imbued,
And taught to win by love.
By grace, from God above;
With meekness, gentleness imbued,
And taught to win by love.
Which, govern'd not by studied rules
That human art may frame,—
Trusts not the rhet'ric of its schools,
But pleads a Saviour's name.
That human art may frame,—
Trusts not the rhet'ric of its schools,
But pleads a Saviour's name.
And, for His sake thus bound in chains,
With tenderness can greet,
Him whom it might command, but deigns
So mildly to entreat.
With tenderness can greet,
Him whom it might command, but deigns
So mildly to entreat.
Oh ye! who may aspire in thought,
To act the pleader's part,
Deign by a Christian to be taught
The way to touch the heart.
To act the pleader's part,
Deign by a Christian to be taught
The way to touch the heart.
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