"AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?"
By Woodland Democrat
"Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain
Has left the dead and lives again.
He walks—the brand is on his brow—
"Am I my brother's keeper" now? "Am I my brother's keeper?" Pray
May he not travel his own way?
What care I which way he may choose—
A Heaven to gain, or all to lose? "Am I my brother's keeper?" Is
My money mine, or is it his?
The God who gives me meat and bread
Might have given to him instead. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Still
The query comes, and come it will;
It will not "down" nor let me rest,
Until the truth I have confessed. I am my brother's keeper! God
Has given voice even to the sod.
My brother's blood is on my hand
How dare I in his presence stand? God's children are my brothers—all
Who hail me with imploring call:
"Save, or I perish!" "Lend your hand
Again to set me on the land!" I will not wear the brand of Cain,
But from my soul erase the stain.
Lord, all I have is thine. Oh, take
And use it for my brother's sake!