Always With Us.
Oh, Charity, of virtues first—1
Oh, holy prompting of the heart2
That bids us choose the better part,3
But most in Heaven’s mercy trust !4
For mercy every night we pray ;5
We daily ask that Heaven’s decree6
May lightly fall on us, as we7
Our duty to our fellows pay.8
But in our daily life we see9
Great Sin that stalks around us still,10
And yet we show nor way nor will11
To prove our Christian charity.12
Shall fellow-creatures fall away,13
And we put forth no hand to save14
From death, and death beyond the grave,15
God’s images in kindred clay ?16
Like Cain, we ask that question still—17
“ Our brother’s keeper how are we ?”18
And, though we murder not as he,19
Our Abels by neglect we kill.20
The City’s alleys, foul and damp,21
Show sights to give the angels awe,—22
Sad rebels ’gainst the Christian law,23
Defacements of the Almighty stamp !24
These are our sisters on the earth,25
Our sisters in the world to come ;26
Yet our fraternal hearts are dumb,27
And feel no pulse of foster-birth.28
We shrug our shoulders when we meet,29
Our garments gather lest we touch ;30
We will not own that any such31
Are more than dust below our feet.32
We mutter in ’side-whispered talk,33
“ How dreadful is this City’s Sin !”34
We—in our wealth of warmth within ;35
They—pacing wearily the walk,36
With awful eyes, and hungry glare,37
Still seeking what they may devour,38
With more of horror in an hour39
Than we in half a life could bear.40
Whose is the greater sin,—or ours,41
Or theirs ? We are not tried as they,42
Whose living deaths from day to day43
Make torture of those even hours,44
Which gracious Heaven permits to glide45
In quiet comfort o’er our heads,46
Who, sleeping soft in downy beds,47
Regard our easy lot with pride ;48
As if ourselves that lot had made,49
Had gained it by our proper skill,50
And Heaven had merely to fulfil51
The claims consistent with our grade.52
As if, assured of granted grace,53
We knew our sins already shriven ;54
And, holding heritage in Heaven,55
But waited to assume our place.56
Christians of course, but all our years57
Forgetful of our Saviour’s law,58
Who, when the Magdalen He saw59
Washing his feet with bitter tears,60
Forgave her sin, and changed her lot,61
And raised her up, and bade her go62
In peace, and taught us all below63
A lesson we have nigh forgot.64
And, “ always with us,” still we find65
These ever-present at our side,66
Yet from our hearts the truth we hide,67
That we and they are Christian-kind.68
Ah, that His light would shine again,69
To show us where our duty lies,70
And wake compassion in our eyes71
Like that which shone from His at Nain !72