Poems (Nealds)/On attending the Sacrament

by Adeline Martha Nealds

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."