Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

260
THE ATTEMPT
These, with a voice all-powerful,
Thy majesty proclaim,
And hid us how before Thee,
And praise Thine awful name.
The insect train that idly
Wear out their life’s short day,
That bathe their wings in glory,
Then languish and decay :
The flowers, those radiant jewels,
Which Earth’s bright crown adorn;
The birds that with sweet music,
Awake the slumbering morn :
These all, unconscious, bid us
Extol Thy wondrous love,
That looks on e’en the humblest,
Erom its bright home above.
For loving friends we thank Thee,
Who, sympathising, hear
The tale of joy or sorrow,
We pour into their ear;
Who make our gladness purer
By their joy’s kindred flow;
Who lighten all our sorrows,
By sharing in our woe.
And, more than all, we praise Thee,
0 God, the sinners’ Friend !
For Christ, Thy Son beloved,
Whom Thou to earth did’st send,
To break, with arm almighty,
The captive’s galling chain;
To cheer the broken-hearted,
And ease the sufferer’s pain;
And on Mount Calvary’s summit,
By traitor hands to die,
That sinners might inherit
Bright mansion-homes on high.
We praise Thee for the Gospel,
That flies with eager wing,
The tidings of salvation
To each dark land to bring.
For Thine unnumbered mercies,
Our feeble praises rise,
And, like a balmy incense,
Float gently to the skies.
Megaig Bheg.