431. Behold, a Stranger at the Door

1. Behold, a stranger at the door!
He gently knocks, has knocked before,
Has waited long, is waiting still:
You treat no other friend so ill.

2. O lovely attitude! He stands
With melting heart and laden hands;
O matchless kindness! and He shows
This matchless kindness to His foes.

3. But will He prove a friend indeed?
He will; the very friend you need;
The friend of sinners—yes, ’tis He,
With garments dyed on Calvary.

4. Rise, touched with gratitude divine;
Turn out His enemy and thine,
That soul destroying monster, sin,
And let the heavenly Stranger in.

5. Admit Him, for the human breast
Ne’er entertained so kind a Guest;
No mortal tongue their joys can tell
With whom He condescends to dwell.

6. Sovereign of souls, Thou Prince of Peace,
O may Thy gentle reign increase:
Throw wide the door, each willing mind;
And be His empire all mankind.

Text Information
First Line: Behold, a stranger at the door
Title: Behold, a Stranger at the Door
Author: Joseph Grigg (1765)
Meter: LM
Language: English
Source: Four Hymns on Divine Subjects, 1765
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: Alternate tunes: ENTREATY, Henry Coward, in The Primitive Methodist Hymnal with Supplement (London: The Primitive Methodist Publishing House, 1912), number 246; HARTEL, Lowell Mason, in The Primitive Methodist Hymnal with Supplement (London: The Primitive Methodist Publishing House, 1912), number 246
Tune Information
Name: FEDERAL STREET
Composer: Henry Kemble Oliver (1832)
Meter: LM
Incipit: 33343 55434 44334
Key: F Major
Copyright: Public Domain



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