Lord, I would follow, but -- First, I would see what means that wondrous call That peals so sweetly through Life's rainbow hall, That thrills my heart with quivering golden chords, And fills my soul with joys seraphical. Lord, I would follow, but -- First, I would leave things straight before I go, -- Collect my dues, and pay the debts I owe; Lest when I'm gone, and none is here to tend, Time's ruthless hand my garnering o'erthrow. Lord, I would follow, but -- First, I would see the end of this high road That stretches straight before me, fair and broad; So clear the way I cannot go astray, It surely leads me equally to God. Lord, I would follow, -- yea, Follow I @3will@1, -- but first so much there is That claims me in life's vast emergencies, -- Wrongs to be righted, great things to be done; Shall I neglect these vital urgencies? @3Who answers Christ's insistent call Must give himself, his life, his all, Without one backward look. Who sets his hand unto the plow, And glances back with anxious brow, His calling hath mistook. Christ claims him wholly for His own; He must be Christ's and Christ's alone.@1 |