THE LIVING WATER

She left her home that morn

In fair Samaria's land,

All heedless of her state forlorn,

Sin-bound, both heart and hand.

With prejudicial pride

She scorned the meek request

Of One who sat the well beside,

With heat and thirst opprest.

“Thou art a Jew,” she said,

“And asketh drink of me?

Samaria's daughter was not bred

To deal with such as thee.”

She would not yield a sip

E'en if its maker sued,

While he from love, with thirsting lip,

Sought and her heart renewed.

He made her ask for life,

Eternal life through him,

And “living water” was the type

To her perception dim.

O yes! She fain would taste

And never thirst again,

And never cross the burning waste

In weariness and pain!

Her life he questioned now;

Revealed her history.

She must have blushed. How could he know?

Here was a mystery!

Abashed she now replied,

“Thou art a prophet, sir!”

And straightway sought with clannish pride

Instruction's voice to hear;

Instruction that will bless

The world each passing day,

For every spot man's feet may press,

There may he praise and pray.

The woman lent her ear,

Then urged Messiah's plea.

Amazing words she now doth hear,

“I that speak unto thee am he.”

What joy! The angels too

Must share it from above.

She left her water-pot, and flew

On feet made swift by love.

Oh, will these tidings last?

This news, it must be spread!

“He knows my present, knows my past;

This is the Christ,” she said.

That woman lost in sin

Drank of the living spring,

Then swiftly sped dead souls to win,

And to that fountain bring.

Forbid that we should shrink

To publish grace so free,

For all who will that tide may drink

And live eternally.

They begged that he would stay,

Believed the truths unfurled,

And joyfully received that day

The Saviour of the world.