Nor prayers nor penance in the cause avail;

All strong remorse, all soft contrition fail:—

330

It is the call! till that proclaims us free,

In darkness, doubt, and bondage we must be;

Till that assures us, we've in vain endured,

And all is over when we're once assured.

"This is conversion:—First, there comes a cry

Which utters, 'Sinner, thou'rt condemned to die;'

Then the struck soul to every aid repairs,