If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, You can say he died for all. If you cannot rouse the wicked With the Judgment's dread alarms, You can lead the little children To the Saviour's waiting arms.
Let none hear you idly saying "There is nothing I can do," While the sons of men are dying, And the Master calls for you. Take the task he gives you gladly, Let his work your pleasure be; Answer quickly, when he calleth, "Here am I, send me, send me."
Sow thou thy seed! Glad is the light of Spring--the sun is glowing. Do thou thy deed: Who knows when flower or deed shall cease its growing?
Thy seed may be Bearer of thousands scattered far and near; Eternity May feel the impress of the deed done here.
The toil of brain, or heart, or hand, Is man's appointed lot; He who God's call can understand Will work and murmur not. Toil is no thorny crown of pain, Bound round man's brow for sin; True souls, from it, all strength may gain, High manliness may win.
O God! who workest hitherto, Working in all we see, Fain would we be, and bear, and do, As best it pleaseth thee. Where'er thou sendest we will go, Nor any questions ask, And that thou biddest we will do, Whatever be the task.
Our skill of hand, and strength of limb, Are not our own, but thine; We link them to the work of Him Who made all life divine. Our brother-friend, thy holy Son, Shared all our lot and strife; And nobly will our work be done If molded by his life.
No service in itself is small; None great, though earth it fill; But that is small that seeks its own, And great that seeks God's will.
Then hold my hand, most gracious God, Guide all my goings still; And let it be my life's one aim, To know and do thy will.
It was only a sunny smile, And little it cost in the giving; But it scattered the night Like morning light, And made the day worth living. Through life's dull warp a woof it wove, In shining colors of light and love, And the angels smiled as they watched above, Yet little it cost in giving.
It was only a kindly word, And a word that was lightly spoken; Yet not in vain, For it stilled the pain Of a heart that was nearly broken. It strengthened a fate beset by fears And groping blindly through mists of tears For light to brighten the coming years, Although it was lightly spoken.