Art thou ever thirsty?
Christ was once athirst.
On the cross He thirsted.
He would serve thee first,
Tho' He were accurst.
So, where thou art thirsty,
Drink, the water's free.
All its sparkling crystals
Are as life to thee-
Drink abundantly.

As thy soul it freshens,
And thy thirst it slakes,
Then the overflowing.
Unto him who takes,
Sweet new life awakes.
Thou Mayst for the Master
Bear the cup of life;
By thy soul's overflowing,
Offer peace for strife,
Love, where sins were rife.

Is thy heart an hungered?
Ah ! He hungered more,
That thy soul might gather
From His plenteous store,
All His love could pour.
Taste, the Lord is gracious,
Yea, the Lord is good,
And His word is given
For our daily food.
Suiting every mood.

And when thou hast found it
All thy soul could plead,
Let some crumbs of comfort
Fall for others' need;
Sow the precious seed.
When thou'st sipped the honey
Of its precious things,
Let some drops of sweetness
Fall upon life's stings,
Till some sad heart sings.
Is thy soul aweary?
So was He as well;
See Him, worn, at noonday,
Rest by Sychar's well;
Hear Him gently tell
To the lonely woman,-
(Who had come apart
To the well for water,)
All her sinful heart,
Healing every smart.

Still there are the weary;
Stop their fruitless quest;
Point them to the Saviour,
Where thou'st found thy rest,
On His peaceful breast.
When thy way seems dreary,
Neath some needed test,
Turn thine eyes to Calvary,
Where the Christ oppressed
Won thee endless rest.

Dost thou plead thy weakness?
He, by weakness, gained
Victory over Satan,
And his power restrained.
Thus thy soul detained
When thy courage faileth,
Haste thee to the Strong.
Giant strength He'll give thee,
And 'twill not be long
E’er Thou wilt find a song.

Lean upon thy Father's
Everlasting arm;
Weakness then will serve thee,
And the wildest storm
Cannot do thee harm.
Thou art strong when weakest;
Leaning on His might,
Fix thine eye on Jesus;
Never walk by sight;
He must lead aright.

Is thy soul impatient?
He the Great I Am
Was the suffering Saviour,
God's provided Lamb,
All thy fears to calm.
Think upon His promise,
Soon He'll "come again,"
All thy suffering ended,
Passed the moment's pain-
'Twill not be in vain.

He hath not forgotten
This last promise sweet,
And His heart is yearning
All His own to meet-
In Himself complete.
He would teach thee patience;
Let no murmur mar
This the Spirit's mission;
Look! behold afar,
Yonder Morning Star.

Hath thy heart home-longings?
How He must have yearned.
But He could not leave thee,
Not till He had earned
What thou since hast learned.
So when thou art yearning
For His blessed face,
Think of those who know not
All His love and grace-
Seek for them a place.

Tell the sweet old story
Of His changeless love.
Tell how still He's waiting
In His home above;
Bid them no more rove;
Tell them of the promise
Of all sins forgiven;
Tell them Christ the Mighty
Hath sins' shackles riven,
Purchased peace and heaven.

Is thy portion scanty?
He was poor indeed.
Hath thy heart known sorrow ?
Did not His heart bleed
In His hour of need
When none seemed to heed?
Even God forsook Him!
While He bore thy sin
In those hours of darkness.
This, thy soul to win!
Else where hadst thou been?

Water for the thirsty,
Yea and living bread,
Strength for human weakness,
He hath given instead,
Life e'en to the dead.
Christ of God the fulness,
Christ th' eternal friend,
Christ the Father's Object,
All their glories blend,
Christ the blessed end.

H. McD.