The Master Is Coming

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1905

The Master Is Coming

THEY said, “The Master is coming To honor the town to-day, And none can tell at whose house or home The Master may choose to stay.”

And I thought, while my heart beat wildly, What if He should come to mine? How would I strive to entertain And honor the Guest divine?

And straight I turned to toiling To make my home more neat; I swept and polished and garnished, And decked it with blossoms sweet; I was troubled for fear the Master Might come ere my task was done, And I hasted and worked the faster, And watched the hurrying sun.

But right in the midst of my duties A woman came to my door; She had come to tell me her sorrows, And my comfort and aid to implore. And I said, “I can not listen, Nor help you any to-day; I have greater things to attend to,” And the pleader turned away.

And soon there came another— A cripple, thin, pale, and gray— And said, “O let me stop and rest Awhile in your home, I pray! I have traveled far since morning, I am hungry, and faint, and weak; My heart is full of misery, And comfort and help I seek.”

And I said, “I am grieved and sorry, But I can not help you to-day; I look for a great and noble Guest,” And the cripple went away.

And the day wore on swiftly, And my task was nearly done, And a prayer was in my heart That the Master to me might come.

And I thought I would spring to meet Him, And serve Him with utmost care, When a little child stood by me With a face so sweet and fair— Sweet, but with marks of tear-drops, And his clothes were tattered and old; A finger was bruised and bleeding, And his little bare feet were cold.

And I said, “I am sorry for you; You are sorely in need of care, But I can not stop to give it, You must hasten elsewhere.” And at the words a shadow Swept o’er his blue-veined brow; “Some one will feed and clothe you, dear, But I am too busy now.”

At last the day was ended, And my toil was over and done; My house was swept and garnished, And I watched in the dark, alone: Watched, but no footfall sounded; No one paused at my gate, No one entered my cottage door; I could only pray and wait.

I waited till night had deepened, And the Master had not come; “He has entered some other door,” I cried, “And gladdened some other home!” My labor has been for nothing, And I bowed my head and wept, My heart was sore with longing, Yet, in spite of it all, I slept.

Then the Master stood before me, And His face was grave and fair:

*“Three times to-day I came to your door And craved your pity and care; Three times you sent Me onward, Unhelped and uncomforted, And the blessing you might have had was lost, And your chance to serve has fled.”*

“O Lord, dear Lord, forgive me! “How could I know it was Thee?” My very soul was shamed and bowed In the depths of humility. And He said, “The sin is pardoned, But the blessing is lost to thee; For, comforting not the least of Mine, Ye have failed to comfort Me.” —Selected.