Classic Poem

I.

And is the gospel, peace and love?
Such let our conversation be;
The serpent blended with the dove,
Wisdom and meek simplicity.

II.

Whene'er the angry passions rise,
And tempt our thoughts or tongues to strife,
To Jesus let us lift our eyes,
Bright pattern of the christian life!

III.

O how benevolent and kind!
How mild! how ready to forgive!
Be this the temper of our mind,
And these the rules by which we live.

IV.

To do his heavenly Father's will,
Was his employment and delight;
Humility and holy zeal
Shone through his life, divinely bright!

V.

Dispensing good where'er he came,
The labours of his life were love;
O, if we love the Saviour's name,
Let his divine example move.

VI.

But ah how blind! how weak we are!
How frail! how apt to turn aside!
Lord, we depend upon thy care,
And ask thy spirit for our guide.

VII.

Thy fair example may we trace,
To teach us what we ought to be;
Make us by thy transforming grace,
Dear Saviour, daily more like thee.