Outside the Door

1O Jesus!
Thou art standing Outside the fastclosed door,
In lowly patience waiting To pass the threshold o'er:
We bear the name of Christians,
Thy name and sign we bear:
O, shame, thrice shame upon us!
To keep Thee standing there.

2O Jesus!
Thou art knocking;
And lo! that hand is scarred,
And thorns Thy brow encircle,
And tears Thy face have marred:
O, love that passeth knowledge,
So patiently to wait!
O, sin that hath no equal,
So fast to bar the gate!

3O Jesus!
Thou art pleading In accents meek and low,— “I died for you,
My children,
And will ye treat Me so?”
O Lord, with shame and sorrow We open now the door:
Dear Saviour, quickly enter,
And leave us nevermore!