I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN.
By W. R. Fitch
[Rev. W. R. Fitch, in Northern Christian Advocate.] I SHALL not pass this way again!
The thought is full of sorrow;
The good I ought to do to-day,
I may not do to-morrow.
If I this moment shall withhold
The help I might be giving,
Some soul may die, and I shall lose
The sweetest joy of living. Only the present hour is mine—
I may not have another
In which to speak a kindly word,
Or help a fallen brother.
The path of life leads straight ahead;
I can retrace it never;
The daily record which I make
Will stand unchanged forever. To cheer and comfort other souls,
And make their pathway brighter;
To lift the load from other hearts,
And make their burdens lighter—
This is the work we have to do;
It must not be neglected;
That we improve each passing hour,
Is of us all expected. I shall not pass this way again!
O, then with high endeavor,
May I my life and service give
To Him who reigns forever;
Then will the failures of the past
No longer bring me sadness,
And His approving smile will fill
My heart with joy and gladness.