Arise, My Tenderest Thoughts, Arise

Arise

my ten­der­est thoughts

arise

To tor­rents melt my stream­ing eyes;

And thou

my heart

with ang­uish feel

Those ev­ils which thou canst not heal.

See hu­man nature sunk in shame!

See scan­dals poured on Je­sus’ name!

The Fa­ther wound­ed thro’ the Son;

The world ab­used

the soul un­done!

See the short course of vain de­light

Closing in ev­er­last­ing night;

In flames

that no abate­ment know

Though bri­ny tears for­ev­er flow.

My God

I feel the mourn­ful scene!

My bow­els yearn o’er dy­ing men!

And fain my pi­ty would re­claim

And snatch the fire­brands from the flame.

But fee­ble my com­pass­ion proves

And can but weep where most it loves;

Thine own all sav­ing arm em­ploy

And turn these drops of grief to joy.