XXII
USHAHKEERTHAN.
(1917)
My Father, my Lord, why hast Thou brought this choir to my door? Why hast Thou tended their feet to this deserted, desolate house ? Have they come to torture me or to soothe me, to castigate me or to comfort me, to fan the burning fire or to quench the consuming flame within me ? Thou alone knowest. They have opened the day with the psalm of Thy praise, with the anthem of Thy glory, with the hymn of Thy mercy, with the hosanna of Thy holiness. May they enjoy the day, as they have begun it, in adoring and worshipping Thee !
I thank Thee that Thou dost not forget, Thou dost not abandon, even this outcast, even this vile sinner. Thou followest me, Thou pursuest me, to reclaim me, to regain me, to regenerate me. Thy compelling love, Thy constraining love, Thy conquering love — to that I appeal. The morning-
