The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1880, Page 49

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~The Lutheran Pioneer,

A MISSIONARY

MONTHLY.

PuBLISHED BY THE EvaNcELicaL Lurneran SynopicaL ConrerRENCE OF NortH AMERICA.

Edited by Prof. R. A. BIS

CHOFF.

Entered at the Post Oflice at St. Louis, Mo., as second-class mutter.

Vol. I.

St. Louis, Mo., March, 1880.

No. 1.

Che Passion.

Alas, dear Lord, what law then hast Thou broken,
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken ?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession—
What dark transgression ?

They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee,
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee,

They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee—

They crucify Thee.

Whence come these sorrows, whence
this mortal anguish ?

It is my sins for which Thou, Lord,
must languish ;

Yes, all the woe which Thou, Lord,
dost inherit,

'T is I do merit!

What strangest punishment is suf-
fered yonder !—

The Shepherd dies for sheep that
loved to wander, ‘

The Master pays the debts His ser-
vants owe Him,

Who would not know Him.

The sinless Son of God must die in
sadness,

That sinful, lost mankind might live
in gladness;

Man forfeited his life, and stands ac-.
quitted;

God is committed.

There was no spot in me by sin untainted,

Sick with its venom all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me. c

O wondrous love! whose depths no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here by foes and thieves surrounded;
-All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying, :
While Thou wert dying!

And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven

To me the crown of joy at last is given,

O mighty King! no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story ?
How shall I find some worthy gift to proffer ?
What dare I offer?

For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder—

Thy woes, Thy mercy still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee ?
Can I requite Thee ?

Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not
leave Thee,

I can renounce whate’er doth vex or
grieve Thee,

And quench with thoughts of Thee
and prayers most lowly

All fires unholy.

But since my own strength never will
suffice me

To crucify desires that still entice
me,

To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit
win me,

And reign within me!

Vl think upon Thy mercy without
ceasing,

That earth’s vain joys to me no more
are pleasing;

To do Thy will shall be my sole en-
deavor

Henceforth for ever.

Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me

Y’ll risk for Thee,—no shame, no cross shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me,

Nor death alarm me.

But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it, :

Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness,
Nor shame my weakness.

Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,

I too shall praise Thee!

(John Heermann, 1630.)