It may be but a little corner, which you have been asked to fill;
What matters it, if you are in it, doing the Master's will?
Doing it well and faithfully, and doing it with your might;
Not for the praise it may bring you, but because the thing is right.
In the sight of man you may never win anything like success;
And the laurel crown of the victor may never your temples press;
If only you have God's approval, 'twill not matter what else you miss,
His blessing is Heaven beginning, His reward will be perfect bliss.
Be faithful in every service, obedient to every call;
Ever ready to do His bidding, whether in great things or small;
You may seem to accomplish little, you may win the praise of none;
But be sure you will win His favor, and the Master's great "Well Done."
And when at His blessed coming, you stand at His judgment seat;
He'll remember your faithful service and His smile will be Oh! so sweet!
He will bid you a loving welcome, He'll make you to reign for aye,
Over great things and o'er many, with Him, through eternal day.
"THE CHANGED CROSS."
It was a time of sadness, and my heart,
Although it knew and loved the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline of life.
And while I thought on these as given to me,
My trial tests of faith and love to be,
It seemed as if I never could be sure
That faithful to the end I should endure.
And thus, no longer trusting to His might,
Who says, "We walk by faith and not by sight";
Doubting and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arose—My cross I cannot bear.
Far heavier its weight must surely be
Than those of others which I daily see;
Oh! if I might another burden choose,
Methinks I should not fear my crown to lose.
A solemn silence reigned on all around,
E'en nature's voices uttered not a sound;
The evening shadows seemed of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.