Poems (Sharpless)/Charity
For works with similar titles, see Charity.
CHARITY
Name it softly, very lowly, When a brother goes astray,When his wavering footsteps wander From the straight and narrow way.Ah,—ye know not,—never can know, How the tempter wrought within;Who are you, self-constituted Judges for another's sin?
Ah! in some the blood runs riot, Coursing with a fever-heat;Others smile at wild ecstatics, As their hearts in calmness beat— Disappointments may have bittered Hearts that else had bravely striven—Tempters, bright and angel-robed, May have drawn them from Heaven.
Whisper softly, whisper lowly, That the cold world may not hear;Name his errors with a kindness You would use to kindred dear—Let your loving words in mercy Drop upon his erring heart;Teach him with your gentlest actions How to choose the better part.So at last your love shall win him To his lost fold back again:—Whisper softly, very softly, When a brother's sin you name.