Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. St. John xx, 29. WE were not by when Jesus came“, But round us, far and near, e see his trophies, and his name In choral echoes hear. While some might doubt, but all ador'd', Lord. Slowly, as then, His bounteous hand The golden chain unwinds, a St. John xx. 24. Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. b St. Matt. xxviii. 17. When they saw him, they worshipped him : but some doubted. T Drawing to Heaven with gentlest band Wise hearts and loving minds. She sought to weep with Thee alone, gone. Reason and Faith at once set outa To search the Saviour's tomb; As fearing to presume “ Here lay His limbs, and here His sacred head, “ And who was by, to make his new-forsaken bed?" . Both wonder, one believes—but while They muse on all at home, From Jesus' grave to roam. c St. Mary Magdalen's visit to the sepulchte. d St. Peter and St. John. 1 Weeping she stays till He appear- All joy to souls that can rejoice Joy too to those, who love to talk In secret how He died, Nor see Him at their side; way, Half darkling, till their Master shed His glory on their souls, made known in breaking bread. Thus, ever brighter and more bright, On those he came to save Dawn'd gradual from the grave: The Church in anxious musing sate, Then, gliding through th' unopening door, Smooth without step or sound, They own him, kneeling round. Successive made His witnesses that hour, Is there, on earth, a spirit frail, Who fears to take their word, To think he sees the Lord ? Read and confess the hand divine For all thy rankling doubts so sore, Love thou thy Saviour still, And ever do His will. Soon will He shew thee all His wounds, and say “ Long have I known thy name—know thou my face alway." THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord ? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts ix. 4, 5. THE midday sun, with fiercest glare, Along the level sand To greet yon wearied band. The leader of that martial crew e In Exodus xxxiii, 17. God says to Moses, “ I know thee by name ;" meaning, “ I bear especial favour towards thee.” Thus our Saviour speaks to St. Thomas by name in the place here referred to. |