The Evening Guest

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 22, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 37.

The Evening Guest

How would you like the thoughts of a day To take visible shape, and in formal array Come in for a sociable chat at night, As you sit by the evening’s genial light?

Would you welcome the thoughts with clothing foul, Which seek the dark, like the hooting owl? Would it gladden your heart, do you think, to see The thoughts of hate and of enmity?

Would the envious thought, in dress of green, Be one you’d wish your friends had seen? Would the angry thought, with scowling face, In the evening hour find welcome place?

Would you wish to see, in the twilight hush, The unholy thought at whose sight you’d blush? Would you welcome, to sit at the evening fire, The jealous wish, the impure desire?

Ah, no; but you’d gladly sit down at night With your holy thoughts all pure and white, And welcome the sweet, pure thoughts of love For your fellow man — for your God above.

Then think these thoughts through the busy day, And by frequent prayer drive those away; So all through the day will your path be bright, And a grateful heart will be yours at night.

— Anon.