Comes to pardon our transgression,
    Like a cloud our sins to blot;
  Comes to his own favored nation,
    But his own receive him not.

  If the angels who attended
    To declare the Saviour’s birth,
  Who from heaven with songs descended,
    To proclaim good will on earth;

  If, in pity to our blindness,
    They had brought the pardon needed;
  Still, Jehovah’s wondrous kindness
    Had our warmest hopes exceeded!

  If some prophet had been sent
    With salvation’s joyful news,
  Who that heard the blest event
    Could their warmest love refuse?

  But ’twas He to whom in heaven
    Hallelujahs never cease;
  He, the mighty God, was given—­
    Given to us a Prince of peace.

  None but he who did create us,
    Could redeem from sin and hell;
  None but he could reinstate us
    In the rank from which we fell.

  Had he come, the glorious stranger,
    Decked with all the world calls great—­
  Had he lived in pomp and grandeur,
    Crowned with more than royal state—­

  Still, our tongues, with praise o’erflowing,
    On such boundless love would dwell—­
  Still, our hearts, with rapture glowing,
    Speak what words could never tell.

  But what wonder should it raise,
    Thus our lowest state to borrow! 
  O the high mysterious ways—­
    God’s own Son a child of sorrow!

  ’Twas to bring us endless pleasure,
    He our suffering nature bore;
  ’Twas to give us heavenly treasure,
    He was willing to be poor.

  Come, ye rich, survey the stable
    Where your infant Saviour lies;
  From your full, o’erflowing table,
    Send the hungry good supplies.

  Boast not your ennobled stations,
    Boast not that you’re highly fed;
  Jesus, hear it all ye nations,
    Had not where to lay his head.

  Learn of me, thus cries the Saviour,
    If my kingdom you’d inherit: 
  Sinner, quit your proud behavior;
    Learn my meek and lowly spirit.

  Come, ye servants, see your station
    Free from all reproach and shame;
  He who purchased your salvation,
    Bore a servant’s humble name.

  Come, ye poor, some comfort gather,
    Faint not in the race you run;
  Hard the lot your gracious Father
    Gave his dear, his only Son.

  Think, that if your humble stations
    Less of worldly food bestow,
  You escape those strong temptations
    Which from wealth and grandeur flow

  See, your Saviour is ascended;
    See, he looks with pity down: 
  Trust him, all will soon be mended;
    Bear his cross, you’ll share his crown.

BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS;
or, THE VALLEY OF TEARS.  A VISION.

BY HANNAH MORE.