Jesus Went Before

Their faoes to Jernsalem, They stepped, with laggard fect, Half timorous, defiant half, At what they went to meet. But as they rested, or they talkcd Their sad forebodings o'er Still leading on the little band, Their Master went before. He saw in visión maddened throng, He saw the crowded hall, Where scribe and priest should mock and flout, Where cruel srourgo shcnild f all. He saw the cross. lts shadows lay The toilsome pathway o'er, But, pressing on witli ardent soul, The Master went before. Today Thy pledged disciples, Lord, Meet sorrow, pain and shame, Their watehword in the trial time Thine own all couquering name. Though flesh be weak and spirit iajnt, And heart be spent and sore, They eamiot fail iu any strife While Thou shalt go before. In presence of Thy bitter foes. In midst of dark defeat, They yet shall snatch a vietory And taste a trramph sweet ; Nor death itself shall crush them, Lord. lts final conflict o'er, The ransomed hosts shall shout and sing, 'Our Saviour went before!" - Selected.