CONTRIBUTION FROM A LADY MISSIONARY.
We do enjoy our work, and it was never more encouraging than now, and yet sometimes it grows almost unbearable, to be so utterly alone. The dear Lord sent a bit of a thought to cheer me to-day, and I sat down and wrote it out, thinking it might comfort other lonely workers in these dark corners.
THE LORD’S GARDEN.
(LOVINGLY INSCRIBED TO THE A. M. A. WORKERS IN THE SOUTH.)
A few days’ work In His garden,
The dear Lord gave me to do;
And I went to my task so gladly,
I thought ’twould be something new—
Some dainty task ’mong the flowers,
That would show my skill and taste.
Alas! I sat down in sorrow,
To weep at the woeful waste.
For He sent me to a corner.
Where never a flower could bloom;
A tangled thicket of tall, rank weeds,
As damp and dark as a tomb.
But I said, “The dear Lord sent me.”
So in tears the task begun,
Clearing the weeds and rubbish away,
From morning till set of sun.
Far away I heard the voices
Of fellow-servants so gay.
As they worked in bands together,
While I wrought alone all day,
Tearing my hands with the thistles,
With heart so heavy and sad,
And never a flower to cheer me,
Or a song to make me glad.