O Son of man, what thoughts had'st thou,
As near some solemn mountain brow,
Out in the dreary wilderness, alone
Thou did'st abide in prayer? But One
There was with whom thou mightst commune.
Did doubts or fears at times thy heart assail,
To try thee; if like other mortals frail
Thou could'st be tempted to give up the fight,
And let the evil over-rule the right?
Did there come nights when darkness would enshroud,
When all around seemed naught but one dark cloud;
When hope seemed blotted out, and when thy task
Seemed but some great mistake, and thou would'st ask,
" Why am I here? What good can I attain?
Do not my efforts now seem all in vain?
Why am I thus shut out from all my race?
Must I not meet my fellows face to face
If I would give them aid?
How long doth seem this night, will morn ne'er rise
And send some brighter gleam across the skies?
Still would'st thou struggle on through night, through day,
And as temptations 'rose, cast them away
Behind thy back, and say, "Thus it is written."
Nor once did Satan take thee unawares, but still,
Found thee awaiting faithfully the Father's will.
When Diabolos would present for bread a stone,
Thou said'st "'Tis written, man shall not live by bread alone,
But every word that from God's mouth proceeds
The heart of man both cherishes and feeds."
Or, when earth's kingdoms, and their glories all
He'd offer, if thou would'st before him fall
And worship him, thou bad'st him then depart,
For with the whole mind, soul, and heart,
One God alone must all men love.
Thus wast thou armed to meet the tempter's snare.
With purity unsullied wait thy Father's care.
Nor did'st thou wait in vain, soon angels came
To minister. These thoughts aflame
With love and inspiration, new strength instilled,
Till thou wast fully with the spirit filled.
Well fitted for thy mission now, to heal and teach,
And to poor humankind the Gospel preach.
Thus in all points tempted like as we,
We find in all our trials thou canst be
A help and stay.
May we be faithful, following on to God,
Treading patiently the steps that thou hast trod,
And watch and pray,
Laying at last, as thou, the flesh-man down,
Gaining our great reward,— from cross to crown.
