No, I cannot, cannot yet

Representative Text

1 "No, I cannot, cannot yet
Yield me to the Saviour's call;
All my sinful joys forget,
At his feet for mercy fall."

2 So the fair one said, and turn'd
From the throne of grace away;
Soon, alas! she pray'd and mourn'd,
When too late to mourn or pray.

3 Sickness came with rapid pace--
Laid her on a bed of death;
Terror stared her in the face,
She must yield her fleeting breath.

4 "Send," she cried, "for mercy send--
Bring the man of God with speed;
Tell him I am near my end,
Tell him that his prayers I need."

5 Waken'd at the midnight hour,
To the dying couch he flew;
There was work beyond his power,
More than mortal man could do.

6 "Save me, save me," cried the fair,
Shriek on shriek heart-rending rose;
"Down I sink to dark despair,
Down to everlasting woes."

7 Vainly did the man of prayer
Point her to the crucified,
Vainly whisper'd in her ear,
"Christ for every sinner died."

8 "Lost," she cried, "for ever lost!
Every ray of hope has fled;
Now too late I count the cost"--
Horror follow'd--she was dead.

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #130b

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Author: William Hunter

Hunter, William, D.D, son of John Hunter, was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland, May 26, 1811. He removed to America in 1817, and entered Madison College in 1830. For some time he edited the Conference Journal, and the Christian Advocate. In 1855 he was appointed Professor of Hebrew in Alleghany College: and subsequently Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Alliance, Stark Country, Ohio. He died in 1877. He edited Minstrel of Zion, 1845; Select Melodies, 1851; and Songs of Devotion, 1859. His hymns, over 125 in all, appeared in these works. Some of these have been translated into various Indian languages. The best known are :— 1. A home in heaven; what a joyful thought. Heaven a Home. From his Minstrel of Zion, 1… Go to person page >

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