First Sunday after Easter

Few and fleeting days remain,
Christ returns to Heaven again,
Bearing far above the sky
Glorified humanity;
That, which here for us He bore,
Mortals soon shall see no more,
'Till the day when to the skies
He descends, and we arise.

Sweet to mark the tender care
All His best belov'd ones share,
To their lowest wants He bends,
To their weaknesses attends:
Was there one who fail'd or falter'd!
He shall find His love unalter'd,
And some gentle deed or word
Have from his forgiving Lord!

Still by leaguering foes beset,
Where the first Lord's Day they met,
There the little Church is found,
When the next Lord's Day comes round:
Weeping, watching, waiting, praying,
Wond'ring where their Lord is staying,
Why the constant Friend of old
Now so seldom they behold!

In the midst of hearts and hands
Lifted up in prayer, He stands:
Peace to every soul He brought,
But one doubter chiefly sought,
With His wounded hands and side,
Proof abundant to provide,
And exchange his faithless grief
For the blessings of belief.

Well He knew the human heart
Loth with unbelief to part;
'Twas to help it in its need,
Not to ' break the bruised reed,'
Tenderly each fault reprove,
Then lead back to joy and love,
'Twas for this He died for men,
And now seeks His Church again.

Thus His day of sacred rest
Lately changed he own'd and blest,
Thus He taught, where best to find
Comfort for a doubting mind,
In that holy gathering, where
Waits His Church in earnest prayer,
And His promise is, to meet
All who seek His mercy seat.

Thus He teaches you and me
Where alone the blame will be,
If — against such tender pleading,
Watchful care, and gentle leading —
If — despite such lovingkindness —
We, in wilfulness and blindness,
Still His Holy Spirit grieve
By refusing to believe.