Why Judge? by Pearl Waggoner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 27, 1916

Why Judge?

By Pearl Waggoner

PEARL WAGGONER

WHY should we judge? We cannot really know That thing is so that merely strikes us so; We mix so oft the real with what we dream, Forgetting all is not what it may seem.

And whether things appear as good, or bad, May rest so often on ourselves alone: Our health, perchance, the kind of night we had, The ruts or customs into which we've grown.

I chanced of late to glance, in idle mood, Toward where methought a mountain erstwhile stood: The trees on the horizon were outlined, But ne'er a trace of mountain loomed behind.

Should I o'er my mistaken judgment grieve? Should I a stranger's verdict now be- lieve, Who, passing but this one time, might declare The scene all mountainless, the country bare?

The morning after, as I looked again, Its form once more was there, distinct and plain; Was it a miracle, this scene sublime? Nay! it had been the same there all the time.

And yet how oft the soul of man de- lights To judge his neighbor's life devoid of heights! We see the base; the rest, if we but knew, Above the clouds, perchance, is past our view.

Let us keep faith! And though earth's atmosphere May change for us the look of some one near, Let us believe the best, and lo, some day Our faith will triumph, mists all brushed away.

There's only One who sees the inmost soul, The blessed Lord alone can read the whole, And none so kind, so merciful, as he; He judges not; then why, O why should we?

Unworthy all, alike we're saved by grace, Yet must his likeness bear, to see his face; Then, in the land no storms nor mists shall mar, We evermore shall see things as they are.