Hidden Beauty by Hettie L. Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 12, 1909

Hidden Beauty

By Hettie L. Olsen

HETTIE L. OLSEN

’Tis only a piece of marble, Awkward and rough and tall, All covered with dust, and unnoticed; It seems of no use at all. Some tired, way-worn traveler May rest in its kindly shade, And at its base, on the greensward, May his weary head be laid.

’Tis passed by the high and noble, By the rich, the poor, the lone, To them a blot on the landscape Is that block of ugly stone. One day a far-famed sculptor By chance passed by that way; He pauses, examining closely That giant so dusty and gray.

He sees not the grimy surface, He sees not unyielding rock; ’Nay, he sees a beautiful image In its rough exterior locked. To his workshop he has it taken, Where the hammer and chisel he plies, Till a white-robed, winged angel Stands before admiring eyes.

So many of us, like that marble, Seem worthless and in the way; But there is a wise, true Sculptor Who can chisel the worthless away; The blows may fall fast and heavy, But the quicker the work will be done, And then God will see perfected The image of his dear Son.

Allegan, Mich.