Approaches

By George Mac Donald (1824–1905)

WHEN thou turn’st away from ill,

Christ is this side of thy hill.

When thou turnest toward good,

Christ is walking in thy wood.

When thy heart says, ‘Father, pardon!’

Then the Lord is in thy garden.

When stern Duty wakes to watch,

Then His hand is on the latch.

But when Hope thy song doth rouse,

Then the Lord is in the house.

When to love is all thy wit,

Christ doth at thy table sit.

When God’s will is thy heart’s pole,

Then is Christ thy very soul.