Poems (Nealds)/On attending the Sacrament
ON ATTENDING THE SACRAMENT.
Before Thy altar, Lord, I kneel, In penitence and pray'r;Intending to renew the seal Of my baptism there.
I come not to thy table, Lord, An uninvited guest;For Thou hast call'd me to thy board, To share the holy feast.
And though unworthy, as I am, Even of the crumbs that fall,Yet through the mercy of the Lamb, Who died for me, for all,
With rev'rence due, and humble heart, Ev'n I may seek Thy face;And trust that I shall hence depart, Fill'd with redeeming grace.
For Thou hast to the weary said, "Come, and I'll give thee rest:"Therefore I seek Thy heav'nly aid, With this assurance blest.
That I may cheer my fainting soul, Oppress'd by grief and pain,By tasting of that "blessed Bowl Which never flow'd in vain."