Classic Poem

I entered once a home of care,
For age and penury were there,
Yet peace and joy withal;
I asked the lonely mother whence
Her helpless widowhood's defence,
She told me, " Christ was all. "
I stood beside a dying bed,
Where lay a child with aching head,
Waiting for Jesus' call;
I marked his smile, 'twas sweet as May,
And as his spirit passed away,
He whispered, " Christ is all. "
I saw the martyr at the stake,
The flames could not his courage shake,
Nor death his soul appall;
I asked him whence his strength was giv'n,
He looked triumphantly to heav'n,
And answered, " Christ is all. "
I saw the gospel herald go
To Afric's sand and Greenland's snow,
To save from Satan's thrall;
Nor home nor life he counted dear,
'Midst wants and perils owned no fear,
He felt that " Christ is all. "
I dreamed that hoary time had fled,
And earth and sea gave up their dead,
A fire dissolved this ball;
I saw the church's ransomed throng,
I heard the burden of their song,
'Twas, " Christ is all in all. "
Then come to Christ, oh, come to-day,
The Father, Son, and Spirit say;
The bride repeats the call;
For he will cleanse your guilty stains,
His love will soothe your weary pains,
For " Christ is all in all. "
Christ is all, all in all,
She told me " Christ was all. "