We sigh for human love, from which
A whim or chance shall sever,
And leave unsought the love of God,
Though God’s love lasts forever.
We seek earth’s peace in things that pass
Like foam upon the river,
While, steadfast as the stars on high,
God’s peace abides forever.
Man’s help, for which we yearn, gives way,
As trees in storm-winds quiver,
But, mightier than all human need,
God’s help remains forever.
Turn unto Thee our wavering hearts,
O Thou who failest never;
Give us Thy love and Thy great peace,
And be our Help forever!
IF CHRIST SHOULD COME
If Christ should come to my store to-day,
What would he think, what would he say?
If his eyes on my opened ledgers were laid,
Would they meet a record of unfair trade,
And see that, lured by the love of pelf,
For a trivial price I had sold myself?
Or would he the stainless record behold
Of perfect integrity, richer than gold?
If Christ should come to my school-room to-day,
What would he think, what would he say?
Would he find me giving the self-same care
To stupid and poor as to rich and fair,
And striving, unmindful of praise or blame,
Through tedious tasks to a lofty aim,
Guiding small feet as they forward plod
In paths of duty that lead to God?
If Christ should come to my workshop to-day,
What would he think, what would he say?
Would his eye, as it glanced my work along,
See that all its parts were stanch and strong,
Closely fitted, firm-welded, and good,
Of flawless steel and of unwarped wood,
As sound as I trust my soul shall be
When tried by the test of eternity?
If Christ should come to my kitchen to-day,
What would he think, what would he say?
Would he find me with blithesome and grateful heart
And hands well-skilled in the housewife’s art,
Bearing sordid cares with a spirit sweet,
And making the lowliest tasks complete?
Cometh he not, who of old did say,
“Lo, I am with you, my friends, alway”?
O thought that our weary hearts must thrill,
In our toilsome ways he is present still!
At counter and forge, in office and field,
He stands, to no mortal eye revealed.