My land lies fallow; Master till me!
My heart is empty; Master fill me!
It plays the traitor; Master win me!
It faints, it dies; put new life in me!
It goes astray; Good Shepherd, lead me!
It sighs for hunger; come and feed me!
It is so poor; give riches to me!
It is corrupt; O Lord, renew me!
So ignorant; Oh! wilt thou teach me?
Has wandered far; but thou canst reach me!
Is so diseased: Physician, heal me!
Exposed to danger: O conceal me!
It trembles: in thine arms, O fold me!
Begins to sink: O Saviour, hold me!
Is sinking fast: Lord, look upon me!
So cold and dark: O shine upon me!
A poor lost sinner: come and find me!
A rebel: may thy love now bind me!
A prodigal: wilt thou receive me?
A beggar: O, wilt thou relieve me?
A backslider: wilt thou restore me?
Unholy: may thy presence awe me!
Unfit to die: O God, prepare me!
So weak: on eagles’ wings, O bear me!
So comfortless: Lord Jesus, cheer me!
So lonely: God of Love, draw near me!
By sin accused: Good Lord, acquit me!
Unfit for Heaven’s pure service: fit me!
Unfit for work on earth: but use me!
A suppliant: do not thou refuse me!
—Ada Louise Abbot.
*These words were composed by the late Miss Abbot known to a number of our people in the London Mission in days gone by. Affliction was sanctified to her and though laid aside from active participation in the outward means her Master prepared her in the furnace of affliction for a place among His redeemed.—Editor.