LEAVES ONLY by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1871

LEAVES ONLY.

By Sel.

The Master will look at his trees to-day As he walks by the white road-side, While the music of pleasure is in the air, Of the brilliant summer-tide; And as upward he raises those tender eyes, With solicitous love made sad, What shall he see on the strong young trees To render the Master glad?

He planted them all in their sunny homes With loving and skilful care, And round about them he caused to breathe The warmth of the scented air; Shade and sunshine have been freely given, And dews and the gentle rains; And what have the trees to show to-day For the Master's loving pains?

The tender green of the dancing leaves, And strength of branch and limb, A home for many a singing bird, And a gentle shade for him? But the Master is looking for fruit to-day, Concealed by the shining leaves, For the harvest joy is upon the earth, And the fields of golden sheaves.

Alas! for the trees that are straight and tall, And covered with leaves of green, Lifting their faces evermore To be kissed by the silver sheen; But who only live to be beautiful, And have nothing but leaves to-day For lips that are parched in summer's heat— For the weary who pass that way,

Alas! for the trees that have only leaves For the Master's piercing gaze, That live, and flourish, and bloom in vain, After these many days! What if the Master should say to them, “Nevermore shall fruit be seen On the trees that cumber the useful ground, And have nothing to show but green”?

O, patient Master, be patient still, And smite not the trees to-day With the blighting word of a stern rebuke, That brings in the swift decay; Let them linger on a season yet, If perchance there soon may be Not leaves alone for thy searching glance, But some ripened fruit for thee.

—Sel.