WHAT YOU CAN DO by Etta Booth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 31, 1869

WHAT YOU CAN DO.

By Etta Booth

If you are too weak to labor In the vineyard of the earth, In which suffering and pollution Cover all with sick'ning dearth; You can by a life consistent With the love a Saviour gave, Help the fainting, falling, weary, *And the wayward, erring, save.

If you cannot, in the struggle, Bear your brother's heavy part, You can cast some rays of sunlight Round the weary, sinking heart. You can, by your cheering kindness, Whisper hopeful words of trust; Touch the chords of friendship often, And its harp-strings will not rust.

If you have not earthly treasure, To relieve the want and woe Crying to the rich to help them, You can listen as you go Through their homes of want and sorrow Like a true disciple meek; Words of kindness you can scatter, Bearing roses round your feet.

You can tell them of a Saviour, Who, on earth, did suffer loss; Taking on him all their sorrows When he died upon the cross; That he's waiting now to hear them, In his holy courts above; Pleading still before the Father, Making known his grace and love.

You can, if you have the blessing Of a sympathizing heart, Reach the burden'd hearts of others, And in tenderness impart All the prospects that before you In their silent grandeur rise; All the glories of that mansion That awaits you in the skies.

Then, if something you are waiting To do in the Master's field, Scatter wide these seeds of blessing, Soon a hundred fold they'll yield; Go, then, where the soil is richest, 'Mongst the thorns and thistle-down; And when comes the golden harvest, Gems will glitter in your crown.

ETTA BOOTH.