Triumphant Songs No.3 ‎#66

66. The four calls

1 The spirit came in childhood
And pleaded, “let me in,”
But oh, the door was bolted
By thoughtlessness and sin;
“I am too young,” the child replied,
I will not yield today,
There’s time enough tomorrow,
The spirit went away.

2 Again he came and pleaded,
In youth’s bright happy hour,
He called but heard no answer,
For lured by Satan’s pow’r,
The youth lay dreaming idly then,
And saying “not today,
Nor till I’ve tried earth’s pleasures,”
The spirit went away.

3 Again he called in mercy,
In manhood’s vigorous prime,
But still he found no welcome,
The merchant had no time,
No time for true repentance,
No time to think or pray,
And so repulsed and saddened,
The spirit went away.

4 Once more he called and waited,
The man was old and ill,
He scarcely heard the whisper,
His heart was cold and still;
“Go, leave me, when I need you,
I’ll call for thee,” he cried,
Then sinking on his pillow,
Without a hope, he died.

Coda:
Because I have called and ye refused,
I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded,
Therefore will I laugh at your calamity
I will mock when your fear cometh.

Text Information

• First Line: The Spirit came in childhood
• Title: The four calls
• Author: L. Baltzall
• Publication Date: 1892
• Topic: Invitation; Solo

Tune Information

• Name: [The Spirit came in childhood]
• Composer: E. G. Northup