The Praises of Amida/Dedication

by Kanai Tada

THE DEDICATION.

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  Take these, O Christ! I would not give Thy Praise
  To others, Sole True Lord of Life and Light;
  For Thine the Vow, that camest Sworn to do
  Thy Father s Saving Will, Who loveth not
  That sinners perish; Thine the Life of toil,
  The world's sharp enmity and bitter scorn,
  And all the Passion, long drawn-out, which closed
  In the great pain of Thy most Holy Cross.
  Perfect through Suffering, Thou didst gain for us
  The Rest of Paradise, where now, enthroned
  As King, Thou reignst in bliss, and whence Thou callst
  Poor men to come to Thee, to Whom is given
  A Name above all Names, O truest Lord
  Of boundless Life and Love uncircumscribed.
  Long years Thy Shadow, brooding o'er these Lands,
  Hath told of Peace and Hope for sinful men;
  Now turn the Shadow to Reality,
  And bless us as we gather round Thy Feet,
  Oh Amitabha-Christ, Sole Lord of All.

A Ll.

Tokyo, Easter-tide, 1907.