Servant of God! thy soul's pure spring of life <br />Disturb, defile not, with unholy strife; <br />Gentle to all, as it becomes thee well; <br />For what wert thou, ere dews of mercy fell <br />Upon thy lifeless soul? From gracious heaven <br />To thee were life, and power, and pardon given; <br />'Freely thou hast received,' oh 'freely give.' <br />Be ever apt to teach; why should'st thou live <br />Alone aloof, when vice and ignorance stalk <br />Abroad with blushless cheek, crossing thy walk <br />With frequent horrors? Teach, and pray, and strive, <br />And work with heaven in saving souls alive; <br />Patient with men, and patient 'neath the rod, <br />For He who chastens is thy Father, God. <br />Meekly instruct; God will thy work approve, <br />And haters of the truth shall learn to love <br />And own her sway, while bright through contrite tears, <br />Hope, smiling, points to heaven's eternal years. <br />How high the honour! how supreme the joy! <br />How great the gain! How blessed to destroy <br />The snares of Satan, teach the slaves of sin <br />To break their chains, and life and freedom win; <br />Thy slaves no more, dread author of all ill! <br />No more thy captives, taken at thy will.<br /><br />Janet Hamilton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-servant-of-the-lord/
