WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR ?

James White · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 11, 1874

Thy neighbor ? It is he whom thou Hast power to aid and bless ; Whose aching heart or burning brows Thy soothing hand may press.

Thy neighbor ? ’Tis the fainting poor Whose eye with want is dim, Whom hunger sends from door to door— Go thou and succor him !

Thy neighbor ? ’Tis that weary man Whose years are at the brim ; Bent low with sickness, care and pain— Go thou and comfort him !

Thy neighbor ? ’Tis the heart bereft Of every earthly gem ; Widow and orphan, helpless left— Go thou and shelter them !

Whene’er thou meet’st a human form, Less favored than thine own, Remember ’tis thy neighbor worn, Thy brother or thy son.

Oh, pass not, pass not heedless by ! Perhaps thou canst redeem The breaking heart from misery— Go share thy lot with him.