You Never Can Tell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 26, 1877

You Never Can Tell.

You think it is easy your steps to retrace, Before the last pitfall is gained, That a man can stop short of a crushing disgrace, And find his honor unstained. But sin is so mighty and conscience so weak, And under so tempting a spell, That though you may long other pleasures to seek Your weakness you never can tell!

The ocean of evil you never can sound, Its depths you can never discern, But under your feet there is treacherous ground, If away from the good land you turn. You see not the danger, you fear not the foe, You whisper the soul, “It is well!” And think that you know just how far you may go But you never, no never can tell!

You never can tell at what moment you’ll slip Into snares that are cruelly laid, By those who are willing another should trip Where they were as foully betrayed. A moment’s indulgence may lead you to crimes That merit a prisoner’s cell; Then quench the hot fever of passion betimes, For its power you never can tell!

You never can tell at what moment you’ll hear The signal of death at your gate, Whose touch will arrest your thoughtless career And bring your repentance too late. Stand firm then to-day, the allurements of sin With earnest persistence repel, And strive for a prize that is worthy to win And whose glory no mortal can tell.