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Nettie Leigh

Charles H. Gabriel

Unknown

The door was shut; and when I heard
His gentle knock, I never stirred;
I thought the entrance of a guest
Would only mar my peace and rest,
Would only mar my peace and rest.
Again He knocked; again I kept
Silence within, as tho' I slept;
He knocked more loudly then, and tried
To win the shelter I denied,
To win the shelter I denied.

The night was dark, and chill the air,
And yet he waited meekly there;
Not one reproachful word He spoke,
Not one complaint the silence broke,
Not one complaint the silence broke.
It grieved me He should ling'ring stand,
Reluctant to withdraw His hand;
But there was not within my heart
Room for Him, so He must depart,
Room for Him, so He must depart.

Touched by such tender, winning grace,
At last I long'd to see His face,
And eagerly unclasped the door,
So closely barred to Him before,
So closely barred to Him before.
He entered: and my little room
Was filled with light, instead of gloom;
And, far transcending all my tho't,
Was the sweet joy and peace He bro't,
Was the sweet joy and peace He bro't.

We supped together, and it seemed
That heav'n itself around me gleam'd!
Each doubt was gone, each fear was stilled,
And highest hopes were all fulfilled,
And highest hopes were all fulfilled.
So now my prayer is "Lord, abide,
Forever with me, at my side!"
"Fear not!" He answered: "I will be
An ever-present Friend to thee,
An ever-present Friend to thee."