Think not of Self by W. Poole Balfern

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 16, 1876

Think not of Self.

By W. Poole Balfern

Think not of self, but think of Christ, And living thoughts will grow, And words will start and run like fire, With light and love aglow.

Think not of self or human praise, But of thy brother's woe; And thy true words with love and speed Right to his heart will go.

Think not of self—what others think, But what the people need, So shall thy speech like dew distil, And minister indeed.

Think not of self or this world's fame, But of thy Master's praise, So shall thy words made like his own, The fallen, broken, raise.

Think not of self—of friend or foe, The rich, the great, or small, So shall thy words through God's own power, Both awe and conquer all.

Think not of self, for Christ's own love Itself with grace fulfills, Brings its own words and that sweet bread Which this world's hunger kills.

Think not of self or how to speak, But of the Saviour's love, So shall thy words that fragrance bring, Which lures the heart above.

Think not of self or thy own wounds, But of the Saviour's blood, So shall thy speech that unction bring Which heals and wins to God.

—W. Poole Balfern.