THE ABSENTEE "Someone is absent," the Shepherd said, As over my roll book He bent His head; "For several Sundays absent, too, So tell Me, teacher, what did you do?" " I didn't call as perhaps I should, I wrote some cards, but they did no good. I've never heard, and she never came, So I decided to drop her name." He answered gravely, " A flock was Mine, A hundred— no, there were ninety and nine, For one was lost in the dark and cold; So I sought that sheep which had left the fold." "The path was stony and edged with thorn; M y feet were wounded and bruised and torn. But I kept on seeking, nor counted the cost, And, oh, the joy when I found the lost!" Thus spake the Shepherd in tender tone; I looked, and lo, I was alone. But God a vision had sent to me To show His will toward the absentee. IS THIS THE LAST HOUR? The sunset burns across the sky; Upon the air its warning cry. The curfew tolls, from tower to tower, O children, 'tis the last, last hour. The work that centuries might have done Must crowd the hour of setting sun; And through all lands the saving Name Ye must, in fervent haste, proclaim. The fields are white to harvest; weep, O tardy reapers, as ye reap, For wasted hours that might have won Rich harvest ere the set of sun.
We hear His footsteps on the way! O, work, while it is called today. Constrained by love, endued with power, O children, in this last, last hour!
THE TEACHER'S PSALM
The Lord is my helper, I shall not fear in guiding these pupils. He leadeth me into the holy of holies, Before I prepare this lesson He leadeth me in the heart of the truth And prepareth the minds of the pupils for it. He giveth me a vision of their souls' immortality. He leadeth me to see the sacredness of teaching His Book. Yea, though I become discouraged and despair at times, Yet shall I lift up my head for His promises cannot fail me. His Word will not return to Him void, and my faith, Undimmed, shall burn through all the coming years. Thou walkest before me that the seed planted may grow. Thou shalt stand by my side on Sun day and speak through M y lips, so that these pupils feel the nearness of God. Thou shalt cause each broken effort to gather sheaves Through unnumbered years. M y joy is full when I know that Every effort in Thy name abides for ever. Surely Thy love and watchcare shall be with me every Day of my life. And some day, I shall live with those who Turn many to righteousness forever and ever. — Rosalee Mills Appleby
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