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WEARY and sad, and sorrow-spent were they, | |
| In that still upper room, | |
| While the rich crimson of the closing day | |
| Was fading into gloom, | |
| And over all, benumbing soul and sense, | 5 |
| Hung the cold shadow of a dread suspense. | |
| |
| High words they heard, but little meaning found, | |
| And spoke their wonder out; | |
| Their Master’s wisdom seemed an empty sound, | |
| And faith was nigh to doubt, | 10 |
| And with the simpler questions of a child | |
| Mingled vague dreams, dull thoughts, and guesses wild. | |
| |
| The promise of a Spirit yet to come, | |
| That other Paraclete, | |
| To lead them on to Truth’s eternal home | 15 |
| And guide their wandering feet; | |
| That could not soothe the anguish of their heart, | |
| They asked in sadness “Must their Lord depart?” | |
| |
| The three-fold witness mighty to prevail | |
| Against an evil world, | 20 |
| The wondrous promise, certain not to fail, | |
| Truth’s banner wide unfurled; | |
| All this they heard, and yet their thoughts were cold, | |
| Feeble the strong, and faint of heart the bold. | |
| |
| Yes, after all, or clear and open speech, | 25 |
| Or sayings dark and dim, | |
| They yet had much to learn and He to teach, | |
| Ere they could rest in Him, | |
| Ere they could preach His words with cleanséd lips, | |
| Or He impart His full Apocalypse. | 30 |
| |
| So year by year, and age by age He sends | |
| The Spirit true and pure, | |
| To guide the souls of those He owns as friends | |
| In pathway straight and sure, | |
| Unfolding still to souls that love the light | 35 |
| The glories of His wisdom infinite. | |
| |
| So we too yet have many things to learn | |
| Which now we scarce can bear, | |
| And though at times our hearts within us burn | |
| We soon forget to hear, | 40 |
| And look with vision dim and wondering eyes | |
| As, one by one, new fears and doubts arise. | |
| |
| Only do Thou, O Lord, Thy word fulfil, | |
| And let Thy Spirit’s might | |
| Through all life’s wars and storms be with us still, | 45 |
| And lead us to the light; | |
| Through mists and shadows guide our wandering feet, | |
| And with Him come Thyself, Thou first great Paraclete. | |
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