Page:Poems Hoffman.djvu/186

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A DIVINE CODICIL

(Isaiah 43:5-9.)

I claim that though my calling be
A mandate high of holy writ,
There is a law that speaks to me
To modify and govern it,
Turning the highways of my plan
To byways that my Saviour trod;
Only in being true to man
Can man be true to God.

Then tell me not, thy duty lies
In paths too high for human needs;
The hungry raven when it cries,
Its tender Heavenly Father feeds.
God calls thee from thy praise and prayer
If in thy house one life there be
That needs thy sympathy and care,
Thy service or thy ministry.

The Pharisee still hears his "Woe!"
Above the dead applause of men;
Still on the road to Jericho
Kneels crowned the poor Samaritan
And not the infidel alone
"There is no God" in boldness saith;
The Christian who neglects his own
Is worse, and hath denied his faith.

For truth's sake truth is blest, and yet,
In God's account no credit's given
To him who owes the world a debt
And pays that debt to heaven.

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