To me the voice of Jesus said,
"O heart, am I thy King?'
' I scarcely listened to the voice,
It seemed so small a thing.

"O precious soul, am I thy King?"
Again the voice did say;
Somewhat I felt, but yet I sought
My mind to turn away.

Plain and more plain the voice still said,
"O heart, am I thy King?"
The voice did cease, yet still the sound
Clear in my heart did ring.

A "yes" were false, a "no" were shame,
So answer none I gave;
Then conscience stirred and firmly said,
"An answer, soul, I'll have.

"'Tell me in truth and tell me now
Is Christ indeed thy King?
Or still reigns self within thy breast?
Or some dear earthly thing?"

"Christ is our Lord, that know I well,
And try to keep His laws;
My duty is to follow Him,
And to maintain His cause."

"But, soul, thou hast not told me yet,
Is Christ thy King today?
The King who o'er thy will doth reign,
Who o'er thy heart has sway?

"Tell me at last, and tell me true,
Choose Him indeed dost thou,
O'er every lord in thee to reign,
Thy will to His to bow?"

"Then self must fall, the Christ must rise,
The rebel quit the throne,
Then Jesus is thy King indeed,
Then God regains His own."
J. M. Denniston