Think gently of the erring: <br />Ye know not of the power <br />With which the dark temptation came <br />In some unguarded hour. <br />Ye may not know how earnestly <br />They struggled, or how well, <br />Until the hour of weakness came <br />And sadly thus they fell. <br /> <br />Think gently of the erring: <br />Oh! do not thou forget, <br />However darkly stained by sin <br />He is thy brother yet; <br />Heir of the selfsame heritage, <br />Child of the selfsame God, <br />He has but stumbled in the path <br />Thou hast in weakness trod. <br /> <br />Speak gently to the erring: <br />For is it not enough <br />That innocence and peace have gone, <br />Without thy censure rough? <br />It sure must be a weary lot, <br />That sin-stained heart to bear, <br />And those who share a happier fate <br />Their chidings well may spare. <br /> <br />Speak gently to the erring: <br />Thou yet may'st lead them back <br />With holy words and tones of love, <br />From misery's thorny track: <br />Forget not thou hast often sinned, <br />And sinful yet must be; <br />Deal gently with the erring, then, <br />As God has dealt with thee.<br /><br />Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/think-gently-of-the-erring/
