For…any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives.
Esther 4:11
Words: Edith R. Wilson, in The International Lesson Hymnal (Chicago, Illinois: David C. Cook, 1878), number 71.
Music: Guerrero, John H. Tenney, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Wilson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Tremblingly, as once of old,
Esther, in the royal court,
For a people captive sold,
Mercy and deliverance sought.
So I come, my king, to Thee,
Trembling at Thy feet I fall;
Stretch Thy scepter over me,
Let me hear Thy gracious call.
I have naught to offer Thee,
Naught to plead in sin’s defense,
Yet unto Thy courts I flee;
Jesus, do not drive me thence.
Thou hast crowned me with Thy love,
Summoned me Thy name to bear;
Bending from Thy throne above,
King of Heaven, hear my prayer.
King of grace and love untold,
Come and feast with me today,
Not as Esther’s king of old,
But forevermore to stay.