Give a kind word to the erring—
It may raise a fallen brother!
And the law of Heaven teaches
We should kindly help each other.
Ah! the paths of vice are many;
And when tempted and when tried,
Remember that thou too art mortal,
And thy feet may turn aside. Give a kind word to the erring:
Who have trod the paths of sin;
For the tempter, too, may woo thee,
And thy feet may run therein.
All along life's rugged pathway,
Stones are bruising weary feet!
Thistles spring among the flowers—
Tares are growing with the wheat. And the Master in his vineyard
Hath a work for you to do,
For the harvest there is plenteous,
But the laborers are few.
Tarry not—the day is waning,
And the night is coming on,
And the Master will reward you
For the work thy hand hath done. If from out one bleeding bosom
You have plucked the piercing thorn;
If you've cheered the drooping spirit
When its every hope was gone;
If you've stretched the hand in kindness
To lead erring, straying feet,
There's a rich reward awaits you,
And love's labor, too, is sweet. If along life's rugged highway
You have raised a drooping flower;
If thy smile hath ever gladdened
For one heart a gloomy hour—
It hath placed a star to glitter
In the angel crown above!
Ah! life's mission, here is holy,
When we make it one of love. Oh, remember, then, the erring!
Thou mayest lift the soul again,
And from some poor, bleeding bosom
Wipe away the guilty stain.
All the world is one broad vineyard,
Where there's work for each to do;
For the harvest, there is plenteous,
But the laborers are few!
Work, then, for life's sun is setting,
And the night is drawing on;
And the Master at his coming
Will expect thy task well done!