FROM the watch of lonely mountain prayer, in gathering storm and blast, From the path no mortal foot could tread, o'er waters wild and vast, HE came, the glorious Son of God, with healing, love, and light, To the land of far Gennesaret, that lay in shadowy night. Oh, blessed morning, sunrise true, upon that gloomy shore, Where they who walked in darkness long the Light of Life adore! Oh, blessed coming to the land of Death's usurping sway; For where those shining footsteps fall the shadows flee away! But when the Light had touched the hills by slumbering Galilee, The golden wave must roll afar toward the western sea: And when the men had knowledge of the Holy One of God, Then they sent out through all the land, and spread His fame abroad. And then they brought the suffering ones, the lonely, or the dear, And laid them at the Healer's feet, from far away, or near: Then bent before the Wondrous One, and earnestly besought That they might only touch the hem around His garment wrought. He heard the prayer, and gave the will and strength to touch the hem, And gave the faith; and virtue flowed from Him, and healed them: For every one whose feeblest touch thus met the Saviour's power Rose up in perfect health and strength in that accepted hour. O Tender One, O Mighty One, who never sent away The sinner or the sufferer, Thou art the Same to-day! The Same in Love, the Same in Power, and Thou art waiting still To heal the multitudes that come, yea, "whosoever will!" We know Thee, blessed Saviour, who hast "filled us with good things;" Thou hast arisen on our land, with healing in Thy wings; Thou hast arisen on our hearts, with light and life Divine; Now bid us be Thy messengers, bid us "arise and shine!" Oh, let Thy Spirit fire our zeal, that we may now "send out," And tell that Thou art come "in all the country round about," -- That Thou art waiting now to heal, that Thou art strong to save, That Thou hast spoilt the Spoiler, Death, and triumphed o'er the grave. Oh, make us fervent in the quest, that we may bring them in, The weary and the wounded, and the sufferers from sin; The stricken and the dying, let us seek them out for Thee, And lay them at Thy glorious feet, that healed they may be. Oh, pour upon our waiting hearts the Spirit of Thy grace, That we may plead with Thee to show the brightness of Thy face, Beseeching Thee to grant the will and strength and faith to such As lie in helpless misery, Thy garment's hem to touch. And then, Lord Jesus, make them whole, that they may rise and bring New praise and glory unto Thee, our Healer and our King: Yea, let Thy saving health be known through all the earth abroad, So shall the people praise Thy Name, our Saviour and our God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LONDON, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE OH, SWEET CONTENT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES LOVES ADVENTURE by JOSEPH BEAUMONT SECTION GANG: MORNING by NORMAN BOLKER A BECK IN WINTER by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE |