CHASTENING, A PROOF OF LOVE.

I was weary of the Savior, Turn’d my heart to other love; Deeply griev’d at my behavior, Soon he call’d me from above; Drew me gently, Bound me with the cords of love. This delightful bondage breaking, Soon my footsteps roam’d away; He, in grief at my forsaking, Follow’d me the livelong day; Woo’d me sweetly, Words of love I heard him say. In his garden I was sleeping, There he came to seek for me; On his head night-dews were weeping, Yet he called me tenderly, “My beloved! Come, my fair one! come to me!” Yet I left this heavenly Lover, Though his lips like lilies were; Once again became a rover, Turned away from one so fair; Still he follow’d— Watch’d me with untiring care. Last of all he sent in sorrow, Call’d my idols all away; For the sake of bright to-morrow, Darken’d all my joys to-day; And he whisper’d, “Come, my fair one! come away! “I’m in all thy griefs a sharer, Thy afflictions all are mine; ’Tis, my love! to draw thee nearer To my heart, I’m breaking thine; I have won thee, Won thy heart by love divine! “’Tis in mercy I have pain’d thee, Wand’rer in a desert wild; Now I know that I have gain’d thee, O, my love! my undefiled!” Thus he soothed me, With his accents sweet and mild. Now I follow where he leads me, I am his, and he is mine; With the richest love he feeds me, While upon him I recline; Gazing upward, On his eyes I fasten mine!