A GENTLE WORD | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1871

A GENTLE WORD.

A gentle word hath a magical power, The weary heart to beguile; It gladdens the eye, it lightens the brow, And changes the tear to a smile. In the genial sunshine it sheds around, The shadows of care depart; And we feel, in its soothing and friendly tone, There's balm for the wounded heart.

Oh! watch thou, then, that thy lips ne'er breathe A bitter, ungentle word; For that which is lightly and idly said, Is often too deeply heard. And though for the moment it leaves no trace; For pride will its woes conceal, Remember the spirit that's calm and still Is always the first to feel.

It may not be in thy power, perchance, To secure a lofty place, And blazon thy name upon history's page, As a friend of the human race; But oft in the daily tasks of life, Though the world behold thee not, Thy gentle and kindly words may soothe A desponding brother's lot.

'Tis well to walk with a cheerful heart, Wherever our fortunes call; With a friendly glance, and an open hand, And a gentle word for all. Since life is a thorny and difficult path, Where toil is the portion of man, We all should endeavor, while passing along, To make it as smooth as we can.

Selected for REVIEW by LAURA V. SMITH.