Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OUR COMMISSION, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUR COMMISSION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye who hear the blessed call
Last Line: Fellow-workers, lord, with thee.
Subject(s): Jesus Christ


YE who hear the blessèd call
Of the Spirit and the Bride,
Hear the Master's word to all,
Your commission and your guide—
'And let him that heareth say,
Come,' to all yet far away.

'Come!' alike to age and youth;
Tell them of our Friend above,
Of His beauty and His truth,
Preciousness and grace and love;
Tell them what you know is true,
Tell them what He is it you.

'Come!' to those who never heard
Why the 'Saviour's blood was shed;
Bear to them the message-word
That can quicken from the dead;
Tell them Jesus 'died for all,'
Tell them of His loving call.

'Come!'to those who do not care
For the Saviour's precious death,
Having not a thought to spare
For the gracious words He saith:
Ere the shadows gather deep,
Rouse them from their fatal sleep.

'Come!'to those who, while they hear,
Linger, hardly knowing why;
Tell them that the Lord is near,
Tell them Jesus passes by.
Call them now; oh, do not wait,
Lest to-morrow be too late!

'Come!'to whose who wander far,
Seeking, never finding, rest;
Point them to the Morning Star;
Show them how they may be blest
With the love that cannot cease,
Joyful hope and perfect peace.

'Come!' to those who draw in vain
From the broken cisterns here,
Drinking but to thirst again;
Tell them of the fountain near.
Living water, flowing still,
Free for 'whosoever will.'
'Come!'to those who faint and groan
Under some unuttered grief,
Hearts that suffer all alone;
Try to bring them true relief.
Tell them 'Jesus wept,' and He
Still is full of sympathy.

'Come!'to those who feel their sin,
Fearing to be lost at last,
Mourning for the plague within,
Mourning for transgressions past;
Tell them Jesus calls them in,
Heavy laden with their sin.

Such as these are all around,
Meeting, passing, every day;
Ye who know the joyful sound,
Have ye not a word to say?
Ye who hear that blessed 'Come,'
Sweet and clear, can ye be dumb?

Brothers, sisters, do not wait,
Speak for Him who speaks to you!
Wherefore should you hesitate?
This is no great thing to do.
Jesus only bids you say,
'Come!'and will you not obey?

Lord! to Thy command we bow,
Touch our lips with altar fire;
Let Thy Spirit kindle now
Faith and zeal, and strong desire;
So that henceforth we may be
Fellow-workers, Lord, with Thee.





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