THE CHRISTIAN’S ECHO

Written by Cornelius Cayley, a courtier, living in the reign of George II.

True faith, producing love to God and man-

Say, echo, is not this the Gospel plan?-

“The Gospel plan”.

Must I my faith and love to Jesus show,

By doing good to all, both friend and foe?-

” Both friend and foe”.

But if a brother hates and treats me ill,

Must I return him good, and love him still?-

“Love him still”.

If he my failings watches to reveal,

Must I his faults as carefully conceal?-

“As carefully conceal”.

But if my name and character he blast;

And cruel malice too, a long time last1

And if I sorrow and affliction know,

He loves to add unto my cup of woe;

In this uncommon, this peculiar case,

Sweet echo, say. Must I still love and bless?-

“Still love and bless”.

Whatever usage ill, I may receive

Must I be patient still, and still forgive?-

“Be patient still, and still forgive”.

Why echo, how is this? Thou’rt sure a dove,

Thy voice shall teach me nothing else but love.

“Nothing else but love”.

Amen! with all my heart, let it be so,

Tis all delightful, just, and good I know,

And now to practise I’d directly go.

“Directly go”.

Things being so, whoever me reject,

My gracious God will surely me protect.

“Surely will protect”.

Henceforth I’d roll on Him my every care

And then both friend and foe embrace in prayer.

“Embrace in prayer”.

But after all these duties I have done,

Must I in point of merit them disown?-

And trust for heaven on Jesu’s blood alone?-

“On Jesu’s blood alone”.

Echo, enough! thy counsels to mine ear

Are sweeter than to flowers the dew-drop tear,

Thy wise instructive lessons please me well,

I’d go and practise them; farewell, farewell.-

“Practise them, farewell, farewell”.

The Sower, 1864