Chapter XVI: The Supplicant

A helpless sinner in Thy sight,
At mercy’s threshold, Lord, I wait;
Inscribed in characters of light,
Thy promise shines upon the gate.
“Ask—ye shall receive;
Seek—and ye shall find;
Knock—and enter in, but leave
All sins and doubts behind.”

I _ask_ Thy boundless grace to share,
I _seek_ for pardon through Thy blood,
I _knock_ by earnest, fervent prayer,—
Lord, hear and answer me for good!
“Ask—ye shall receive;
Seek—and ye shall find;
Knock—and enter in, but leave
All sins and doubts behind.”

Yes; each mistrustful doubt of Thee,
Each long-indulged, besetting sin,
Repented and renounced must be
By those who dare to venture in.
Then asking—we receive,
And seeking—we shall find,
Till, entering Heaven’s gate, we leave
Earth, sin, and death behind!