GRAINS OF GOLD

New Zealand Tablet, 27 February 1919, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD

LENT. Now are the days of humblest prayer, When conscience to God lies bare And mercy most delights to spare, O hearken when we cry, Chastise us with Thy fear Yet, Father! in the multitude Of Thy compassions, hear ! Now is the season, wisely long, Of sadder thought and graver song, Yhen ailing souls grow well and strong. The feast of penance ; Oh, so bright With true conversion’s heavenly light, Like sunrise after stormy flight! O happy time of blessed tears, Of surer hopes, of chastening fears, Undoing all our evil years I We, who have loved the world, must learn Upon that world our backs to turn. And with the love of God to burn. Full long in sin’s dark way we went, Yet now our steps are heavenward bent, And grace is plentiful in Lent. All glory to redeeming grace, Disdaining not our evil case. But showing us our Saviour’s face ! Oh, hearken when we cry, Chastise us with Thy fear Yet, Father! in the multitude Of Thy compassions, hear ! „ Father Faber.