A CONVENIENT SEASON by Mary Martin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1873

A CONVENIENT SEASON.

By Mary Martin

“Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25.

He looked to the coming, rich, full years, And set aside his thoughts and fears. But the “noble Felix” passed away, And we find naught to tell to-day That the time e’er came while life’s path he trod, When he felt to send for the man of God. Though power and fame were his that day, Long ages since it has passed away.

A stranger came when the sun had set, And his locks with evening dews were wet. He knocked, and would fain have entered in, To a light, young heart ere it knew earth’s sin; But he tossed his hair from his youthful brow, And said, “Yes, sometime; I can’t stop now.” “I know you would gladly benefit me, “And, when convenient, I’ll call for thee.”

So he sadly left without urging more, And Death soon stood at the same heart’s door. With an iron grasp he held his prey, No prayers or pleading could drive away. Again and again, through gathering tears, I trace the record of those brief years, I hope—but naught tells this heart of mine, There ever came “a convenient time.”

Still he knocked where youth and beauty live— Such an angel face must a welcome give. But no! the world with its promise fair Had entered in, and was reigning there. So she said, “Ah, yes! I have heard of this, And when I have quaffed this earthly bliss, As you pass this way, you may call on me, Or, when convenient, I’ll call for thee.”

His mantle he clasps, for the night is chill, And hastens to do his Father’s will; But the queenly form, and the beautiful face, Have found a lowly resting place. As strangers gaze on the silent clay, “Too lovely for earth,” we hear them say. But no record is left that tells to me, She again had felt—“I will send for thee.”

As I see young forms at earth-shrines kneel, None know the heart-aches that I feel, Would I could save, but my strength is small, I listen to hear the earnest call, “O Lord, have pity,—save or I die.” He ever answers the faintest cry, If faithful here, they soon will stand Before the Father at his right hand.

And some have reached the noon of life, And some will soon leave its toil and strife; Still he gently knocks, and my heart stands still, Will they yield their own to a higher will? And laying aside their pride or sin, Bid the Heavenly Guest a welcome in? Or presuming more, still hope to see, Time more “convenient” to call for thee?

The shadows lengthen, and night has come, The heart’s guests gather in my lowly home. I will take the rubbish away from the door, That kept him out when he called before; No day shall pass that I do not pray, Jesus of Nazareth, pass this way.— Through tears and trials, thank God, I see I have need to say, Abide with me.

MARY MARTIN.

West Ridge, N. H.