t is not in vain that the seed is shed--
If only ONE soul to the cross is led,
Thy labor is not in vain."

And at last he woke, and his knee he bent
In grateful, childlike prayer,
And he prayed till an answer of peace was sent,
And Faith and Hope as a rainbow bent
O'er the clouds of his earthly care.

And he rose in joy, and his eye was bright.
His sorrow and grief had fled,
And his soul was calm and his heart was light,
For his hands were strong in his Saviour's might
As forth to his work he sped.

Whatever dies, or is forgot--
Work done for God, it dieth not.

FOLLOWING THE MASTER

I asked the Lord that I might worthier be,
Might grow in faith and hope and charity;
And straight, "Go feed my lambs!" he answered me.

"Nay, Lord!" I cried. "Can outward deeds avail
To cleanse my spirit? Heart and courage fail
And sins prevent, and foes and fears assail."

And still, "Go, feed my lambs!" was all I heard.
But should I rest upon that simple word?
Was that, indeed, my message from my Lord?

Behold, I thought that he his hand would lay
On my sick soul, and words of healing say,
And charm the plague-spot from my heart away.

Half wroth, I turned to go; but oh! the look
He on me cast--a gaze I could not brook;
With deep relentings all my spirit shook.

"O dearest Lord," I cried, "I will obey,
Say what thou wilt! only lead thou the way;
For, following thee, my footsteps shall not stray."

He took me at my word. He went before;
He led me to the dwellings of the poor,
Where wolf-eyed Want keeps watch beside the door.

He beckoned me, and I essayed to go
Where Sin and Crime, more sad than Want and Woe,
Hold carnival, and Vice walks to and fro.

And when I faltered at the sight, He said,
"Behold, I died for such! These hands have bled,
This side for such has pierced been," he said.

"Is the disciple greater than his Lord?
The servant than his Master?" Oh, that word!
It smote me like a sharp, two-edged sword!

And since that hour, if any work of mine
Has been accepted by my Lord as sign
That I was following in his steps divine;

If, serving others (though imperfectly),
My own poor life has worthier come to be,
And I have grown in faith and charity,

Dear Lord, be thine the glory! Thou hast