'And did the Holy and the Just'

"And did the Holy and the Just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?

Yes; the Redeemer left His throne,
His radiant throne on high-
Surprising mercy! Love unknown!-
To suffer, bleed and die.

He took the dying traitor's place,
And suffered in his stead:
For man- O miracle of grace!-
For man the Saviour bled!

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell
In Thy atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from hell,
And rebels brought to God.

Jesus, my soul adorning bends
To love so full, so free;
And may I hope that love extends
Its sacred power to me?

What glad return can I impart
For favours so divine?
O take my all, this worthless heart,
And make it only Thine.

-Anne Steele

A favorite hymn of Stonewall Jackson

Here is another hymn by John Newton, one that Mrs. Mary Anna Jackson said was one of her husband's favorites. I have not heard it before, but it happened to be in this wonderful little hymnal I have, so here it is.

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage-
Grace which, like the Lord the Giver,
Never fails from age to age?

Round each habitation hovering,
See! the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a covering,
Showing that the Lord is near:
Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer's blood-
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God.

Saviour, if of Zion's city
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name:
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion's children know.

"I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer;
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request;
And, by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart,
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

'Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried,
'Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?'
'Tis in this way', the Lord replied,
'I answer prayer for grace and faith.

'These inward trials I employ,
From self and pride to set thee free,
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayest seek thy all in Me.'

John Newton