Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 2.djvu/356

 star has risen, but in my heart there is no star, no gleam. Thy light has begun to pervade the world, and yet it reacheth not my heart. Am I a beast of prey or am I a demon, that I alone should recede and retire into darkness as the whole world awakens and advances into light ? Is my heart alone outside Thy kingdom of life and light ? Am T the only exile from the mansions of my Father's house ? Grant, oh grant, I implore Thee, that I too may join the procession or even follow the pilgrims from a distance. May this day be the most glorious in the records of Thy mercy, even as it has brought the first gleam of hope unto this most reprobate sinner ! Thou hast again and again been sung and proclaimed as the avowed, the tireless Champion of the vilest and the most abandoned of sinners. Be the regeneration of this sinner one fresh instance of Thy reclaiming mercy, of Thy saving grace ! Bless these, Thy children, with the richest gifts of the Spirit, and do Thou take a clement, com- passionate view of my own sins and in-