"None of Self, and All of Thee

O bitter shame and sorrow,
That a time could ever be,
When I let the Saviour's pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered:
"All of self, and none of Thee!"

Yet He found me: I beheld him
Bleeding on the accursed tree, 
Heard Him pray: "Forgive them, Father!"
And my wistful heart said faintly:
"Some of self, and some of Thee!"

Day by day, His tender mercy, 
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered:
"Less of self, and more of Thee!"

Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;
Grant me now my supplication:
"None of self, and all of Thee!"

Theodore Monod