Amid all the fair branches and free,
Inviting their clusters to share,
One tree, and only one tree,
This heav’nly manna will bear.
That tree of celestial seed,
By heav’nly culture doth rise;—
That man from his sins might be freed,
’Twas sent as a gift from the skies!
But many the tree did deride,
And oft of its fruit did complain,
Since to gain it they often had tried,
But return’d to their folly again!
They made it a matter of doubt,
That it had been planted for them:—
Repentance, and Faith were the root,
And Holiness grew on the stem!
Some as they pass’d by gave a glance,
Made remark on the wilderness bare;
And affirm’d with eye all askance,
No semblance of beauty was there.
Though to plant it the Saviour of men
Hath sorrow’d, and suffer’d, and bled;
And His Spirit pour’d out as a stream,
Hath His heav’nly influence shed.
You see, when the secret is told,
And the riddle’s expounded to all,
It was planted in Eden of old,
But had been torn up by the fall!
So Christ hath in love to His church,
Thus rear’d this plant of renown,
To screen when the sun’s rays might scorch,
And to cheer when our spirits are down.
Whoe’er of its produce partakes,
Whatever objections arise,
Through the Cross, and the choice that he makes,
Shall be holy, and happy, and wise!
Then we to His temple shall run,
And worship with joy and delight;
Our trials while under the sun,
Will pass as a dream of the night!