975
10s.
Restore such a one in the spirit, etc.
Gal. 6:1.
Breathe thoughts of pity o’er a brother’s fall,
But dwell not with stern anger on his fault:
The grace of God alone holds thee, holds all;
Were that withdrawn, thou too wouldst swerve and halt.
2 Send back the wanderer to the Saviour’s fold—
That were an action worthy of a saint;
But not in malice let the crime be told,
Nor publish to the world the evil taint.
3 The Saviour suffers when his children slide;
Then is his holy name by men blasphemed!
And he afresh is mocked and crucified,
Even by those his bitter death redeemed.
4 Rebuke the sin, and yet in love rebuke;
Feel as one member in another’s pain;
Win back the soul that his fair path forsook,
And mighty and eternal is thy gain.
Edmeston.