Classic Poem

From the heaven of heavens descending, stooping from the throne of God,
Clothed in human flesh the Shepherd once our mortal valley trod.
See Omnipotence self-humbled; Light in darkness undefiled;
Love untired with weary footstep seeking us o'er waste and wild.

But the storm-clouds round Him gather: o'er Jerusalem He weeps:
Crush'd and bruised by our transgressions now He treads the river deeps:
Onward, onward: " It is finished " on the bitter cross He cries;
And the unseen world receives Him, Lord of earth and Paradise.

Easter dawns: the bars are broken: hark, the shout of victory!
Death is death-struck, and Emmanuel captive leads captivity:
Bringing many sons to glory, crown'd with many crowns of love,
To the songs of heaven He rises and the Father's home above.

Those eternal Hallelujahs, those adoring Seraphim,
Saints and angels and archangels, are they not enough for Him?
Wherefore from that throne of triumph do His soul's compassions flow
Over those who once refused Him, and His scatter'd sheep below?

Far upon the rocky mountains, wayworn, wounded, cast away,
Those for whom He died and suffer'd in the paths of ruin stray;
And His voice thrills through and through us, Who for us His life-blood gave,
" Do ye love Me, O My children? feed the lambs I died to save. "

Lord, Thou knowest that we love Thee: only let us love like Thee,
Seek the lost, and heal the wounded, track, Thy steps unweariedly;
Till beside the living waters, glorified, redeem'd, forgiven,
Thou, the One Eternal Shepherd, gather us one flock in heaven.