“O woman... be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”
O WOMAN, is thy mother's-heart
Full often sore distressed,
When gazing on thy little ones,
Close folded to thy breast?
Dear as they are, and lovely too,
As spring's first blossoms fair,
Thou know'st beneath their comeliness,
Sin's deadly germs are there.
When looking round thee on this earth,
Thou thinkest oft with sighs,
That 'neath its flowery scenes of mirth,
Full many a pitfall lies!
How many lurers may be found
To tempt them from thy Lord;
What honied, serpent-tongues abound,
To wile them from His Word!
Fain wouldst thou shield thy babes from harm,
For them thy life resign;
But, oh, how feeble is thine arm,
How weak all strength of thine!
“What futures will thy loved ones make?”
The thought thy mind employs;
Will they thy heart with anguish break,
Or crown thy head with joys?
Mother, thou hast a refuge near,
Jesus, the virgin's child;
Who trod Himself earth's deserts drear,
Holy, and undefiled:
He lay upon a woman's breast,
He lisped a mother's name;
And childhood, youth, and manhood blessed,
Who child and man became.
Oh, mystery of mysteries!
Oh, theme surpassing sweet!
The Son of God an infant lies,
Who now does infants greet;
Oh, wondrous love! Oh, grace divine!
Oh, tidings full of joy I
Well might the heavens with glory shine,
Angels their tongues employ.
Behold Emmanuel, as He stands,
While mothers round Him press,
And place their children in His hands,
For Him to save and bless.
Does He reject the feeblest lamb,
That tender Shepherd? nay;
He gives them sore rebuke and blame,
Who turn those babes away.
Mother, behold thy Savior's face,
His hands, and feet, and side;
Canst thou not trust His love and grace,
Who for thy dear ones died?
Oh, lay those tender lambs of thine
On that kind Shepherd's breast;
Their future to His care resign,
And in His wisdom rest.
Mother, how multiplied thy joy,
What solace to thy fears;
To train them now thy sweet employ,
To serve in coming years.
Still look to Him, and trust, and pray,
Who has the work begun;
“E'en as thou wilt," still hear Him say,
“Woman, it shall be done.”