Emma Frances Bevan
(1827-1909)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV
God in heaven hath a treasure
Riches none may count or tell,
Hath a deep eternal pleasure—
Christ, the Son, He loveth well.
God hath here on earth a treasure,
None but He its price may know—
Deep, unfathomable pleasure,
Christ revealed in saints below.
Christ, the Light that fills the heavens,
Shining forth on earth beneath
Through His Spirit freely given,
Light of life ’midst shades of death.
Down from heaven’s unclouded glory
God Himself the treasure brought,
Closing thus His love’s sweet story
With His sweetest, deepest thought.
God in tongues of fire descending,
Chosen vessels thus to fill
With the treasure neverending,
Ever spent—unfailing still;
Still unwasted, undiminished,
Though the days of dearth wear on,
Store eternally unfinished,
Fresh, as if but now begun.
Earthen vessels, marred, unsightly;
But the treasure as of old,
Fresh from glory, gleaming brightly,
Heav’n’s undimmed, unchanging gold—
God’s own hand the vessel filling
From the glory far above,
Longing hearts forever stilling
With those riches of His love.
Thus, through earthen vessels only,
Shining forth in ceaseless grace,
Reaching weary hearts and lonely,
Beams the light in Jesus’ face.
Vessels worthless, broken, bearing
Through the hungry ages on
Riches given with hand unsparing,
God’s great gift, His precious Son.
Thus though worn, and tried, and tempted,
Glorious calling, saint, is thine;
Let the Lord but find thee emptied,
Living branch in Christ the Vine!
Vessels of the world’s despising,
Vessels weak, and poor, and base,
Bearing wealth God’s heart is prizing—
Glory from Christ’s blessèd face.
Oh, to be but emptier, lowlier,
Mean, unnoticed, and unknown,
And to God a vessel holier,
Filled with Christ, and Christ alone!
Naught of earth to cloud the glory,
Naught of self the light to dim;
Telling forth His wondrous story,
Emptied—to be filled with Him.
