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APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILUER.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures (or baskets) of silver.”—Prov. xxv. 11.

IVE me fit words, O Jesu
To tell the old, old tale,
That has been told so often

To some it seemeth stale :

Some words that shall add freshness

To this so hoar and old,

Some gilt that shall add glitter

To this pure virgin gold.

A word that's fitly spoken

May catch a careless ear;

And midst the rumble of the world,
In accents low and clear,

May rouse a torpid conscience,

And melt a stony heart,

And from an eye unused to weep
May make the tear-drops start.

Thou spakest as none other

Ere spake or preached before;
Then on Thy waiting servant
Thy Holy Spirit pour:
That he may use such accents
The old, old tale to tell
That in some human sepulchre
They ring like silver bell;

And speak of Calvary's mercy,
And Sinai's sin and wrath,
And cry as Thou Thyself didst cry
To Lazarus, "Come forth!"
That, casting off their wrappings,
Those who are dead in sin

May live while here a holier life,
And life eternal win.

Thus, touch my tongue, O Jesu!
With Thy all-saving fire,
And for the highest purposes
Tune Thou my feeble lyre;
Then as in silver pictures
Glow apples all of gold,
So shall Thy love, O Jesu!
In fitting words be told.

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It is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled: for My head is filled with dew, and My locks with the drops of the night." SONG OF SOL. v. 2.

"O the Hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest Thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?"

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JER. XIV. 8.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." . REV. III. 20.

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Open the door, beloved;

My head with dew is filled,

My locks with droppings of the night—
For thee My blood was spilled.
For many a year I've waited,

And longed to enter in;
And still I stand, belated,
While thou liv'st on in sin.

And thou art all unheeding,

And hast no smile to greet, And carest not that bleeding

Are My tender, toil-worn feet; For the way is long and dreary,

And My head and limbs are aching, And I'm waiting sad and weary,

And My loving heart is breaking.

Thy mirth and midnight revels,
And thy loud, unseemly shout,
Make glad the heart of devils

While thy Lover stands without!
Hast thou indeed no pity?

Wilt thou never, love, relent?
Is thy breast devoid of tenderness?
Wilt thou never, love, repent?

Oh! by the years I've waited—
Oh! by the tears I've shed-
Oh! by the wrath o'erwhelming
Poured on My stricken head:
Oh! by My cross and passion-
My wrestlings with sin-
Belov'd one, have compassion,
And let the Traveller in!

-[0, man by time grey-headed, Or in the prime of life, Bereaved or newly wedded,

Son, daughter, husband, wife, Or little one of tender years,

Thy life stretched out before

CHRIST IS THE WEARY WAYFARER,

THY HEART THE CLOSE-BARRED DOOR!]—

Thou canst not ope that door, love,

BUT ON THY BENDED KNEES:

Then thy heart in prayer outpour, love,

The present moment seize:

And when in earnest prayer, love,

The door flies open wide,

The Heavenly Bridegroom shall come in And clasp His purchased bride.

RUR, SPEAK TO THIS Young MAR.

"And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man." ZECH. ii. 3, 4.

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BEKOLD, I KAYE PLAYED THE FOOL.

. . . . I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."

1 SAM. xxvi. 21.

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