We would see Jesus! we have longed to see him
Since first the story of his love was told;
We would that he might sojourn now among us,
As once he sojourned with the Jews of old.
We would see Jesus! see the infant sleeping,
As on our mother's knees we, too, have slept;
We would see Jesus! see him gently weeping,
As we, in infancy, ourselves have wept.
We would behold him, as he wandered lowly--
No room for him, too often, in the inn--
Behold that life, the beautiful, the holy,
The only sinless in this world of sin.
We would see Jesus! we would have him with us,
A guest beloved and honored at our board;
How blessed were our bread if it were broken
Before the sacred presence of the Lord!
We would see Jesus! we would have him with us,
Friend of our households and our children dear,
Who still, should death and sorrow come among us,
Would hasten to us, and would touch the bier.
We would see Jesus! not alone in sorrow,
But we would have him with us in our mirth;
He, at whose right hand are joys forever,
Doth not disdain to bless the joys of earth.
We would see Jesus! but the wish is faithless;
Thou still art with us, who hast loved us well;
Thy blessed promise, "I am with you always,"
Is ever faithful, O Immanuel!
--Anna E. Hamilton.
"TELL JESUS"
When thou wakest in the morning,
Ere thou tread the untried way
Of the lot that lies before thee,
Through the coming busy day,
Whether sunbeams promise brightness,
Whether dim forebodings fall,
Be thy dawning glad or gloomy,
Go to Jesus--tell him all!
In the calm of sweet communion
Let thy daily work be done;
In the peace of soul outpouring,
Care be banished, patience won;
And if earth, with its enchantments,
Seek the spirit to enthrall,
Ere thou listen, ere thou answer,
Turn to Jesus--tell him all.
Then, as hour by hour glides by thee,
Thou wilt blessed guidance know;
Thine own burdens being lightened,
Thou canst bear another's woe;
Thou canst help the weak ones onward,
Thou canst raise up those that fall;
But remember, while thou servest,
Still tell Jesus--tell him all!
And if weariness creep o'er thee
As the day wears to its close,
Or if sudden fierce temptation
Brings thee face to face with foes,
In thy weakness, in thy peril,
Raise to heaven a trustful call;
Strength and calm for every crisis
Come--in telling Jesus all.