Bread for all

The Bread of Life.

(The Gospel History, Section 64)

For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Bread for all

(The Saviour of the World, Vol IV, Book I, Poem XV)

“For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

There is a bread of God come down

From heaven to men:

And whoso tastes that bread shall own

Life, come again.

Thy pulse, is’t sluggish, doth thy heart beat slow,
Doth eye lack lustre, feet refuse to go?
Poor famish’d soul, when fainting in the way,
Think’st thou Thy Father hath no bread to stay

Thy sinking, then?

“My need is not as others’;—love,

My heart doth crave,

All ample meats and wealth above,

My life to save!”

Your Father, knows He not? That bread He gives
Feeds with all fulness every soul that lives
And cries on Him for meat. Rejoice, sick heart,
Fulness of love, of loving, is the part

Thy need shall have!

“But I—am weary of the dark,

I fain would know;

Would soar in heaven’s high fields—a lark,

My soul would go!

This little knowledge, sure, ’s the spirit’s curse;
Uttermost ignorance were hardly worse!”
Nay, fret not, soul; the knowledge thou dost crave,
All mind-contenting knowledge, thou shalt have—

In unchecked flow.

“Well, for those others; I—want place:

I would stand high!

Would head my fellows in life’s race,

Pass all men by!”

Will cities ten provide thee, eager soul,
Who know’st not yet, in My Name thou must rule
Ere thou be satisfied; must be content
To know thy ruling, serving,—office lent

Thy Lord to magnify?

“As hart for water-brook I cry,

My God, on Thee!

O satisfy me or I die

For want of Thee!

There is none other bread can ease my pain,
No other life is there can mine sustain;
Love, knowledge, power,—what are they lacking Thee?
O Lord, my Lord, thy servant’s portion be,

Come, feed Thou me!”

St. John vi. 33, 34.