Thou must be born again!

Such was the solemn word

To him who came, not all in vain,

By night to seek his Lord.

Thou must be born again!

But not the birth of clay;

The immortal seed must thence obtain

Deliverance into day.

Thou, in thy inmost mind,

Must own the same control;

The same regenerating wind

Must move and guide thy soul.

Thou canst not choose but trace

The steps the Master trod,

If once thou feel his truth and grace,

A conscious child of God.

The mortal’s birth is past;

The immortal’s birth must be;

Seek well and thou shalt find at last

That blest nativity.