Читать книгу Authors and Writers Associated with Morristown - Julia Keese Colles - Страница 24

What means this eager, anxious throng,

Pressing our busy streets along,

These wondrous gatherings day by day,

What means this strange commotion, pray?

Voices in accents hushed reply

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by?"

E'en children feel the potent spell,

And haste their new-found joy to tell;

In crowds they to the place repair

Where Christians daily bow in prayer,

Hosannas mingle with the cry

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Who is this Jesus? Why should He

The city move so mightily?

A passing stranger, has He skill

To charm the multitude at will?

Again the stirring tones reply

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Jesus! 'tis He who once below

Man's pathway trod mid pain and woe:

And burdened hearts where'er He came

Brought out their sick and deaf and lame.

Blind men rejoiced to hear the cry

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Again He comes, from place to place

His holy footprints we can trace.

He passes at our threshold—nay He enters—condescends to stay! Shall we not gladly raise the cry— "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Bring out your sick and blind and lame,

'Tis to restore them Jesus came.

Compassion infinite you'll find,

With boundless power in Him combined.

Come quickly while salvation's nigh,

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Ye sin-sick souls who feel your need,

He comes to you, a friend indeed.

Rise from your weary, wakeful couch.

Haste to secure His healing touch;

No longer sadly wait and sigh.—

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Ho all ye heavy-laden, come!

Here pardon, comfort, rest, a home

Lost wanderer from a Father's face,

Return, accept his proffered grace.

Ye tempted, there's a refuge nigh

Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

Ye who are buried in the grave

Of sin, His power alone can save.

His voice can bid your dead souls live,

True spirit-life and freedom give.

Awake! arise! for strength apply,

Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

But if this call you still refuse

And dare such wondrous love abuse,

Soon will He sadly from you turn

Your bitter prayer in justice spurn.

"Too late! too late!" will be your cry,

"Jesus of Nazareth has passed by!"