The follower is not greater than the Chief:
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ord, I am here.—But, child, I look for theeElsewhere and nearer Me.—Lord, that way moans a wide insatiate sea:How can I come to Thee?—Set foot upon the water, test and seeIf thou canst come to Me.—Couldst Thou not send a boat to carry me,Or dolphin swimming free?—Nay, boat nor fish if thy will faileth thee:For My Will too is free.—Lord, I am afraid.—Take hold on Me:I am stronger than the sea.—Save, Lord, I perish.—I have hold of thee,I made and rule the sea,I bring thee to the haven where thou wouldst be. New creatures; the Creator still the SameFor ever and for ever: therefore weWin hope from God’s unsearchable decreeAnd glorify His still unchanging Name.We too are still the same: and still our claim,Our trust, our stay, is Jesus, none but He:He still the Same regards us, and still weMount toward Him in old love’s accustomed flame.We know Thy wounded Hands: and Thou dost knowOur praying hands, our hands that clasp and clingTo hold Thee fast and not to let Thee go.All else be new then, Lord, as Thou hast said:Since it is Thou, we dare not be afraid,Our King of old and still our Self-same King. “Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Is this that Name as ointment poured forthFor which the virgins love Thee; King of kingsAnd Lord of lords? All Seraphs clad in wings;All Cherubs and all Wheels which south and north,Which east and west turn not in going forth;All many-semblanced ordered Spirits, as ringsOf rainbow in unwonted fashionings,Might answer, Yes. But we from south and north,From east and west, a feeble folk who cameBy desert ways in quest of land unseen,A promised land of pasture ever greenAnd ever springing ever singing wave,Know best Thy Name of Jesus: Blessed Name,Man’s life and resurrection from the grave. Thy Name, O Christ, as incense streaming forthSweetens our names before God’s Holy Face;Luring us from the south and from the northUnto the sacred place. In Thee God’s promise is Amen and Yea.What art Thou to us? Prize of every lot,Shepherd and Door, our Life and Truth and Way:—Nay, Lord, what art Thou not? “The Good Shepherd.” O Shepherd with the bleeding Feet,Good Shepherd with the pleading Voice,What seekest Thou from hill to hill?Sweet were the valley pastures, sweetThe sound of flocks that bleat their joys,And eat and drink at will.Is one worth seeking, when Thou hast of ThineNinety and nine?— How should I stay my bleeding Feet,How should I hush my pleading Voice?I Who chose death and clomb a hill,Accounting gall and wormwood sweet,That hundredfold might bud My joysFor love’s sake and good will.I seek My one, for all there bide of MineNinety and nine. “Rejoice with me.” Little Lamb, who lost thee?—I myself, none other.—Little Lamb, who found thee?—Jesus, Shepherd, Brother.Ah, Lord, what I cost Thee!Canst Thou still desire?—Still Mine arms surround thee,Still I lift thee higher,Draw thee nigher. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?Yea, Lord, altho’ Thou say me nay:Shall not His Will be to me life and light?Yea, Lord, altho’ Thou slay. Yet, Lord, remembering turn and sift and see,Remember tho’ Thou sift me thro’,Remember my desire, remember me,Remember, Lord, and do. Me and my gift: kind Lord, behold,Be not extreme to test or sift;Thy Love can turn to fire and goldMe and my gift.
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