THE TWO GUIDES by Nannie Beauchamp Jones

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1897

THE TWO GUIDES.

By Nannie Beauchamp Jones

ONE day as I walked in the shadows, And my heart made ceaseless moan, There came a dark-browed stranger, And offered a heart of stone.

Would I take, and thus receive him, As my daily guide? quoth he. I should walk no more in the shadows, But down by the sun-kissed sea.

I accepted his offer gladly, And ever from that sad day, This sinister, dark-browed stranger, Walked by my side alway.

And always his evil counsel I took as my daily guide; He taught me to hate my fellows, And treat them with haughty pride.

My heart, that was once so tender, So tender, loving, and true, And filled with love for my neighbor, Harder than adamant grew.

My burden grew heavier daily, Till, almost crushed by its weight, I turned from my guide, who was filling My soul with the venom of hate.

One day when the wind was sighing, And moaning as if in pain, While drearily against the window Beat the chilling autumn rain,

I turned to my guide so evil, And bade him from me begone, And leave me alone in the shadows; And I gave back the heart of stone.

I spurned the gift, and the giver; He fled, and left me alone, Alone I walked in the shadows, While my heart made ceaseless moan.

I heard a step at the doorway, My name soft breathed on the air; I turned, and, lo, before me, Stood a Being wondrously fair!

His eyes were gently smiling, And around the forehead white, And over the flowing tresses, There shone a halo of light.

“My child,” He said, “I love thee, And if thou wilt bid Me stay, I will undo the work of the stranger, Whom thou hast turned away.

“My mission, to make thee better, Thy heart more tender and kind, To take thy life with its burdens, And pattern it after Mine.

“See: blood from My wounds is flowing; ’Twas shed on the cross for thee. O, give Me thy heart, let Me enter, Thy guide evermore to be!”

I knelt at His feet in rapture, Looked up in His face divine, “Dear Lord, take my heart forever, The heart that is rightfully Thine.”

Lo! soon the shadows were lifted, My heart forgot its sad moan, And it beat with the joy of gladness, As I wandered no more alone.

And mine are the love and the meekness, And gone is the arrogant pride. All the way through sunshine or shadow, I am led by my heavenly Guide.

MRS. NANNIE BEAUCHAMP JONES.

Baxter Springs, Kan.