173. For the Dead
{315} (A Hymn.)
HELP, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,
The souls to Thee so dear,
In prison for the debt unpaid
Of sins committed here.
Those holy souls, they suffer on,
Resign'd in heart and
will,
Until Thy high behest is done,
And justice has its fill.
For daily falls, for pardon'd crime,
They joy to undergo
The shadow of Thy cross sublime,
The remnant of Thy woe.
Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,
The souls to Thee so
dear,
In prison for the debt unpaid
Of sins committed here.
{316}
Oh, by their patience of delay,
Their hope amid their
pain,
Their sacred zeal to burn away
Disfigurement and stain;
Oh, by their fire of love, not less
In keenness than the
flame,
Oh, by their very helplessness,
Oh, by Thy own great
Name,
Good Jesu, help! sweet Jesu, aid
The souls to Thee most
dear,
In prison for the debt unpaid
Of sins committed here.
The Oratory.
1857.