Volume 5 — Original. "Abide In Me."

"I am the vine, you the branches." "I AM the Vine." "'Tis true, dear Lord, and yet the fruit, And cool, green leaves that cast the grateful shade, Are mine." "Fie, silly branch! Without a root Deep hidden in the lowly earth, Thy fruit or leaves would ne'er had birth. How quickly would thy coronal of leaves, Which now from men such flattery receives, Lose all its glory in their sight, and fade And die; Thy fruit for tastelessness be spurned; Thyself be cast into the fire and burned, If I Who am, of all thou hast, the source, Did not with living sap the force Supply." "Lord! pardon me my foolish pride; Too much in my own strength I do confide. Decree That henceforth I shall bare and barren be, If I give not all glory unto thee; And chide My wayward spirit when it turns aside, And thinks to live and flourish, and yet not abide In thee."