Poems (Barker)/A Plea for the Erring

by Alice J. Green Barker

A Plea For the Erring.

Alas the painful words are said;
Another heart has deeply bled—
Another soul has lost its star;
We see it glimmering afar.
Who here have chosen Christ their guide,
Go quickly to your sisters side!
Show her the star fast growing dim;
Tell her she yet is dear to Him.

Yes! God is love, and tell her now
That on her pale and throbbing brow
His hands of love, will fondly rest
Pity and mercy fill His breast,
Not only for the wanderer dear,
But for the one who brought her here.
Oh! cruel, cruel world; the blame
Rests only on the maidens name.

Turn ye who boast a Savior's love
And an eternal Home above
And read His word, obey His call
Go to the erring when they fall!
Go to this crushed and wounded heart!
And quick a soothing balm impart.
Nor cover up the name of him
Who made her earthly star grow dim.

God pity him, his soul must bear
A bitter load of pain and care,
He almost see's the angel band
Who 'round that drooping figure stand.
He almost hears each voice upbraid
Betrayed! betrayed! a trust betrayed.
Oh! world have mercy, Heaven will show
More pity, let the culprit go.

Your cruel taunts, and heartless jeers
Say will they dry her bitter tears?
Have you, your Savior's call obeyed?
You may be in the balance weighed.
Ah! she was tempted and she fell,
Make not this earth to her a hell;
God knows she has enough to bear
Without this added load of care.

Speak softly! nor in scornful pride
Look on the heart so sorely tried,
Remember that we all have erred
By deed, by action and by word.
Had we been tempted, God alone
The triumph, or the fall had known,
Speak softly both have gone astray
Go help them both to find the way.