Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/128




 * And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  St. Luke xvii. 17, 18.

Ten cleansed, and only one remain! Who would have thought our nature's stain Was dyed so foul, so deep in grain? E'en He who reads the heart - Knows what He gave and what we lost, Sin's forfeit, and redemption's cost, - By a short pang of wonder crossed Seems at the sight to start:

Yet 'twas not wonder, but His love Our wavering spirits would reprove, That heavenward seem so free to move When earth can yield no more Then from afar on God we cry, But should the mist of woe roll by, Not showers across an April sky Drift, when the storm is o'er,

Faster than those false drops and few Fleet from the heart, a worthless dew. What sadder scene can angels view Than self-deceiving tears, Poured idly over some dark page Of earlier life, though pride or rage, The record of to-day engage, A woe for future years?

Spirits, that round the sick man's bed Watched, noting down each prayer he made, Were your unerring roll displayed, His pride of health to abase; Or, when, soft showers in season fall Answering a famished nation's call, Should unseen fingers on the wall Our vows forgotten trace:

How should we gaze in trance of fear! Yet shines the light as thrilling clear From Heaven upon that scroll severe, "Ten cleansed and one remain!"