Matthew presents us Jesus, as alone
The “Son of David”— Heir to David’s throne,
Who soon as “Lord.” shall through the earth be
known.
Mark as the “Servant” e’er obeying God,
Who in the path of loving service trod,
Though sinking oft beneath the weary load.
Luke as “the Christ,” the “anointed. One” from
heaven,
To whom all power and majesty was given;
And Satan oft from wicked man was driven.
John as the “Word made flesh,” God’s only Son,
Who lived and died to make God’s glory known,
And claim for us a seat upon the throne.
Acts are the records of the Holy Ghost, —
The chronicles of Jesus’ valiant host,
Who served and followed Him at every cost.
The Romans teach us how God can be just,
Yet save in righteousness poor sinful dust,
Who in the precious blood of Jesus trust.
Corinthians tell us who the Church compose, —
What order ruled, what heresies arose,
And what the gifts God on the Church bestows.
Galatians show the law’s dire curse and shame
Was borne by Christ, who to fulfill it came;
That Christ, not Law, the sinner can reclaim.
Ephesians tell us how the Church is blest
E’en now, in Christ, of all heaven’s wealth possessed,
And seen by God as entered into rest.
Philippians teach how love from hearts can flow,
Bound up in Christ, the humbled One, below;
That saints should aim His tenderness to show.
Colossians tell us of the “Church’s Head,”
And warns of holding aught than Him instead, —
The Lord of glory, first-born from the dead.
The Thessalonians show us saints, so bright,
For Jesus waiting through the world’s dark night, —
Children of day, and children of the light.
Timothy tells us how the man of God
Should walk on earth, with truth and meekness
shod,
As Christ the path of true submission trod.
Titus exhorts the faithful chosen band,
To hold “the truth,” though pressed on every
hand,
And in the “blessed hope” with joy to stand.
Philemon, tells us of a brother’s care—
A slave returned his master’s love to share,
And shows how saints should with each other hear.
Hebrews on truth, both past and present, dwells,
The earthly, heavenly work of Jesus tells,
How grace, now reigning, all past law excels.
James writes, “Without works faith is dead”—
That faith must ever from love’s fount be fed,
That Christians fruitless faith should ever dread.
Peter portrays the saint, a pilgrim here,
Called, for his Lord, reproach and shame to bear,
As on the Lord he rolls his every care.
John writes of “love,” the new commandment
given,
By which the world shall know the child of heaven;
And tells the joy of having sins forgiven.
Jude the apostacy at hand portrays,
Yet tells where light is found in darkest days,
To guide the saint, and to direct his ways.
The Revelations close the wondrous scene,
And tell of all which yet shall intervene,
Ere Christ shall reign, the Lord of all supreme!
A. M.