That father rose in penitence, sweet thoughts within him stirred,
A yearning, warm desire to hear from God’s own Word
Those precious truths she thus had lisped in accents sweet and mild;
He placed the Bible in her hand; “Take this and read my child.”
She read the holy Book, and, at that midnight hour,
God sent his blessed Spirit to seal it home with power;
Those sweet words of the loving John, that “all who look may live,”[4]
He heard, and said, “Dear Mary, can Jesus now forgive?”
“Oh listen, father! ‘God so loved,’ he sent his only Son,
And all who now believe on that dear, blessed One,
The Lamb of God, shall never die, shall have their sins forgiven,
And he will take them home at last, to dwell with him in heaven.”
“That is for me!” he cried; “for sinners just like me;
I will look up to Jesus now,—Savior, I come to thee;
I hear those blessed words, ‘Come unto me and live;’
I can believe,—I do believe! Dear Jesus now forgive.”
Yes, look to Christ, believing one, he whispers now you may.
He heard, and went, from that glad hour, rejoicing on his way.
SALLIE M——.
I knew a lass, but quite too long
Was her whole name to weave in song,
But, lest a change she should condemn,
We’ll only call her Sarah M——.