But you are precious in my eyes,
And shall not smart in vain.
7 " I see your hearts at present nll d
With grief and deep distress ;
But soon these bitter seeds shall yield
The fruits of righteousness."
8 Break through the clouds, dear Lord,
and shine !
Let us perceive thee nigh !
And to each mourning child of thine
These gracious words apply.
136.
Ephesus.—Rev. ii, 1-7.
1 THUS saith the Lord to Ephesus,
And thus he speaks to some of us,
"Amidst my churches, lo, I stand,
And hold the pastors in my hand.
2 " Thy works to me are fully known,
Thy patience and thy toil I own ;
Thy views of gospel truth are clear,
Nor canst thou other doctrine bear.
3 " Yet I must blame while I approve ;
Where is thy first, thy fervent love ?
Dost thou forget my love to thee,
That thine is grown so faint to me ?
4 " Recall to mind the happy days
When thou wast fill d with joy and praise ;
Repent thy former works renew
Then I ll restore thy comforts too.
5 " Return at once, when I reprove,
Lest I thy candlestick remove ;
And thou too late thy loss lament :
I warn before I strike Repent."
6 Hearken to what the Spirit saith,
" To him that overcomes by faith,
The fruit of life s unfading tree
In paradise his food shall be."
