Martha her love and joy expressed <br />By care to entertain her guest; <br />While Mary sat to hear her Lord, <br />And could not bear to lose a word. <br /> <br />The principle in both the same, <br />Produced in each a different aim; <br />The one to feast the Lord was led, <br />The other waited to be fed. <br /> <br />But Mary chose the better part, <br />Her Saviour's words refreshed her heart; <br />While busy Martha angry grew, <br />And lost her time and temper too. <br /> <br />With warmth she to her sister spoke, <br />But brought upon herself rebuke; <br />One thing is needful, and but one, <br />Why do thy thoughts on many run? <br /> <br />How oft are we like Martha vexed, <br />Encumbered, hurried, and perplexed! <br />While trifles so engross our thought, <br />The one thing needful is forgot. <br /> <br />Lord teach us this one thing to choose, <br />Which they who gain can never lose; <br />Sufficient in itself alone, <br />And needful, were the world our own. <br /> <br />Let groveling hearts the world admire, <br />Thy love is all that I require! <br />Gladly I may the rest resign, <br />If the one needful thing be mine!<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/martha-and-mary/
