Lo, from vessels, earthen only,
Shining forth in ceaseless grace,
Reaching weary hearts, and lonely,
Beams the light from Jesu’s face!

Earthen vessels, marred, unsightly,
Bearing Wealth no thought can know:
Heavenly Treasure, gleaming brightly–
Christ revealed in saints below!

Vessels, broken, frail, yet bearing
Through the hungry ages on
Riches given with hand unsparing–
God’s great Gift, His precious Son!

O to be but empty, lowly,
Mean, unnoticed and unknown,
Yet to God a vessel holy,
Filled with Christ, and Christ alone!

Nought of earth to cloud the Glory!
Nought of self the Light to dim!
Telling forth Christ’s wondrous story:
Broken, empty–filled with Him!

(The preceding two poems are from Hymns of Grace and Truth, copyright 1904 by Loizeaux
Brothers, Neptune, NJ; used by permission.)