UNKINDNESS by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1872

UNKINDNESS

By Sel.

There is a little plant, whose leaves Touched by ungentle hand, As if endowed with feeling, shrink, And trembling seem to stand.

So there are gentle hearts, whose life Is made of tenderness; Whose tiny leaves will fold themselves When rougher hands oppress.

A careless word, small in itself, May grieve and trouble much; And pain is oft awakened by An inadvertent touch.

Then since it lies within our power A kindly heart to gain, O let us check the unkind word That gives another pain.

For could we see the bitter tear Shed by a heart refined When touched by rude or careless hand, We should not be unkind.

—Sel.