Down in Achor’s trial-scenes
Self is judged, the guilty found —
Faithful there the Father makes
Achor His correction ground.
“Vale of trouble,” “door of hope,”
Through the valley drawn by Thee,
Learning from Thy pleadings there
Love’s alluring ministry.
Chastened, Father, and restored,
Oh, what joy on Thee to wait!
Entering into Thy blest ways,
Entering by the Shepherd’s gate.
Father, thus each son received
Profits by Thy jealous care;
Each partakes Thy holiness,
Each Thy faithful scourgings share.
Achor-valley, “open door,”
Scene of One from God who died;
Dying, living, “Door of hope,”
Opened by His riven side.
Achor’s loved ones “sing,” “rejoice,”
Sing of Jesus’ precious blood;
Praise the Father’s “Door of hope,”
Magnify the Lamb of God.
C.F.C., from The Christian Friend 1882:293-294