30.
Is this thy kindness to thy Friend?—2 Sam. xvi, 17.
1 POOR, weak, and worthless, though I am,
I have a rich, almighty Friend ;
Jesus, the Saviour, is his name,
He freely loves, and without end.
2 He ransom d me from hell with blood,
And by his power my foes control d ;
He found me wand ring far from God*
And brought me to his chosen fold.
3 He cheers my heart, my want supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be
Enthroned with him above the skies :
what a Friend is Christ to me !
4 But ah ! my inmost spirit mourns,
And well my eyes with tears may swim,
To think of my perverse returns ;
I ve been a faithless friend to him.
5 Often my gracious Friend I grieve,
Neglect, distrust, and disobey;
And often Satan s lies believe
Sooner than all my Friend can say.
6 He bids me always freely come,
And promises whate er I ask;
But I am straiten d, cold, and dumb,
And count my privilege a task.
7 Before the world, that hates his cause,
My treach rous heart has throbb d with shame ;
Loath to forego the world s applause,
I hardly dare avow his name.
8 Sure, were not I most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite !
And were not he the God of grace
He d frown, and spurn me from his sight.
