(Sojourning in Galilee, A. D. 32)
If Jesus Christ is a man--
And only a man--I say
That of all mankind I cleave to him,
And to him will I cleave alway.
If Jesus Christ is a God--
And the only God--I swear
I will follow him through heaven and hell,
The earth, the sea, the air.
--Richard Watson Gilder.
"IT IS TOWARD EVENING"
Abide with me, O Christ; thou must not go
For life's brief day is now far down the west;
In dark'ning clouds my sun is sinking low;
Lord, stay and soothe thy fretted child to rest.
Abide with me; ere I can fall on sleep
My throbbing head must on thy breast recline,
That I may hear anew thy voice, and feel
The thrill of thy pierced hands in touch with mine.
Abide with me; so then shall I have peace
The world can never give nor take from me;
Nor life nor death can that calm peace disturb,
Since life and death alike are gain through thee.
If life, 'tis well; for though in paths of pain,
In desert place afar, I'm led aside,
Yet here 'tis joy my Master's cup to share;
And so I pray, O Christ, with me abide.
'Tis gain if death; for in that far-off land--
No longer far--no veil of flesh will dim
For me the wondrous beauty of my King,
As he abides with me and I with him.
Abide with me; I have toiled gladly on,
A little while, in stir of care and strife;
The task is laid aside at thy command,
Make thou it perfect with thy perfect life.