HER PRAYER.

Low in the ivy-covered church she kneeled,

The sunshine falling on her golden hair;

The moaning of a soul with hurt unhealed

Was her low-breathed and broken cry of prayer.

“Thy wounded hand, dear Christ, Thy wounded hand!

I pray Thee, lay it on this heart of mine —

This heart so sick with grief it cannot stand

Aught heavier than this tender touch of Thine.

“Thy wounded hand, dear Christ, O let it press

Here, where the hurt is hardest, where the pain

Throbs fiercest, and the utter emptiness

Mocks at glad memories and longings vain!

“Thy wounded hand, dear Christ, who long ago

Slept by Thy mother's side in Bethlehem!

Think of her cradling arms, her love-song low,

And pity me when Thou dost think of them.

“My baby girl, my pretty dear, I miss

Morning and noon and night — her ways so wise,

The patting of her soft, warm hands, the kiss,

The cooing voice, the sunshine of her eyes.

“I sleep, and dream she nestles close, my own,

Her red mouth on my breast; I wake and cry.

She sleeps out yonder in the dark, alone —

My arms are empty and my bosom dry.

“Thy wounded hand, dear Christ, will surely bring

Healing for this great anguish that I bear!

A nursing babe, a little dimpled thing,

God might have left her to her mother's care!

“Thy wounded hand, dear Christ, O let me feel

Its touch to-day, and past all doubting prove

Thou hast not lost Thine ancient power to heal —

Press out the bitterness, fill up with love!

“O Babe that in the manger rude did sleep!

O Prince of Peace, Thy tender wounded palm

Still holds the oil of joy for those that weep!

Still holds the comforting, the Gilead's balm!”