'Tis the first Great Teacher's footprints - it will lead where He has gone; With a hand that's never faltered, with a love that's ne'er grown dim, Long and faithfully she's labored, to His fold the lambs to bring. But to-night her soul grows heavy; through the closed lids fall the tears, As the children pass before her, that she's taught these many years; And she cries in bitter anguish: "Shall not one to me be given, To shine upon my coronet amid the hosts of heaven! Hear my prayer to-night, my Saviour, in Thy glorious home above; Give to me some little token some approval of Thy love." Ere the words were scarcely uttered, banishing the evening gloom, Came a soft and shining radiance, brightening all within the room; And an angel in white raiment, brighter than the morn ing sun, Stood before her, pointing upward, while he softly whispered," Come." As he paused, she heard the rustle of his starry pinions And she quickly rose and followed, out into the stilly night; Up above the dim blue ether; up above the silver stars; On, beyond the golden portals; through the open pearly doors; Far across the sea of crystal, to the shining sapphire Throne, Where she heard amid the chorus, "Welcome, child; thy work's well done." Surely 'tis her Saviour speaking; 'tis His hands, aye, 'tis His feet; And she cries: "Enough! I've seen Him; all my joys are now complete." All forgot earth's care and sorrow; all forgot the starry crown; 'Twas enough e'en to be near Him; to behold Him on His Throne. "Not enough," the Saviour answered; "thou wouldst know through all these years, If in vain has been thy teaching, all thy labor and thy prayers; That from thee the end was hidden, did thy faith in me grow less? Thou hast asked some little token, I will grant thee thy request." From out a golden casket, inlaid with many a gem, He took glist'ning with countless jewels-a regal diadem; Bright a name shone in each jewel, names of many scholars dear, Who she thought had passed unheeded all her earnest thought and care. "But," she asked, "how came these names here names I never saw before?" And the Saviour smiling answered, ""Tis the fruit thy teachings bore; ""Tis the seed thy love hath planted, tended by my faithful hand; Though unseen by thee, it's budded, blossoming in many lands. Here are names from darkened Egypt, names from Afric's desert sands; Names from isles amid the ocean, names from India's sunny strands; Some from Greenland's frozen mountains, some from burning tropic plains; From where'er man's found a dwelling, here you'll find some chosen name. When thine earthly mission's ended, that in love to thee was given, This is the crown of thy rejoicing, that awaits thee here in heaven." Suddenly the bright light faded; all was dark within the room; And she sat amid the shadows of the Sabbath evening gloom; But a peaceful, holy incense rested on her soul like dew; Though the end from her was hidden, to her Master she'd be true; Sowing seed at morn and even, pausing not to count the gain; If her bread was on the waters, God would give it back again; If the harvest she had toiled for other hands than hers should reap, He'd repay her for her labor, who had bade her, Feed my sheep." 66 ALTRUISM AUTHOR UNKNOWN This poem was discovered by Mr. George Morgan, of the banking firm of Morgan, Drexel & Co., in a country newspaper. He carried it in his pocket for five years, occasionally reading it to his friends. Inquiries for copies of it were so frequent that he finally had it printed for distribution. If you have a friend worth loving, Love him. Yes, and let him know If you hear a song that thrills you, Why should one who thrills your heart If you hear a prayer that moves you Join it. Do not let the seeker Bow before its God alone. Why should not your brother share If you see the hot tears falling If a silvery laugh goes rippling If your work is made more easy Say so. Speak out brave and truly Ere the darkness veil the land. Should a brother workman dear Falter for a word of cheer? Scatter thus your seeds of kindness All enriching as you go Leave them. Trust the Harvest Giver; So, until the happy end, Your life shall never lack a friend. |