"I WILL TAKE YOU ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO OF A FAMILY, AND I WILL BRING
YOU TO ZION."--Jer. iii. 14.
Far through the icy bounds
Of Greenland's barren shore,
At duty's call, on mercy sent,
The brave are gone before.
Beyond the haunts of men
They urge their tedious way,
When lo! a wandering tribe appears
By yonder northern bay.
But who so wild, so lost
In ignorance and sin!
No God they know, no Saviour own,
Is there a soul to win?
Yes, in that heathen race
One heart at least is found
That yearns for better things, by grace
In unseen fetters bound.
Warm is the Christian's heart,
Outstretch'd the Christian's hand,
"Assistance" lends her friendly aid
To reach a Christian land.
In this our calm retreat
He finds a peaceful home,
Is taught such learning as is meet,
In store for years to come.
He learns to know and love
His Saviour and his God,
And now he is a brother dear,
By faith in Jesu's blood.
O gracious Spirit! hear
Our prayer with one accord;
And train this new-born Christian heart
In thy most holy Word.
Have pity on his race!
And bring them still to see
Their wretched state, and teach them all
The Father, Son, and Thee!
To God the Father, Son,
And Spirit, glory be,
Who call'd, and saved, and sanctifies,
The co-eternal Three!
Some of these verses were sung in the College Chapel on the evening of
Advent Sunday, 1853.