Poems (Barker)/A Plea for the Erring
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 nowThat on her pale and throbbing browHis hands of love, will fondly restPity and mercy fill His breast,Not only for the wanderer dear,But for the one who brought her here.Oh! cruel, cruel world; the blameRests only on the maidens name.
Turn ye who boast a Savior's loveAnd an eternal Home aboveAnd read His word, obey His callGo 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 himWho made her earthly star grow dim.
God pity him, his soul must bearA bitter load of pain and care,He almost see's the angel bandWho 'round that drooping figure stand.He almost hears each voice upbraidBetrayed! betrayed! a trust betrayed.Oh! world have mercy, Heaven will showMore pity, let the culprit go.
Your cruel taunts, and heartless jeersSay 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 bearWithout this added load of care.
Speak softly! nor in scornful prideLook on the heart so sorely tried,Remember that we all have erredBy deed, by action and by word.Had we been tempted, God aloneThe triumph, or the fall had known,Speak softly both have gone astrayGo help them both to find the way.