NOT NOW by Alice Cary

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 23, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 49.

NOT NOW.

By Alice Cary

THE path of duty I clearly trace, I stand with conscience face to face, And all her pleas allow; Calling and crying the while for grace,— "Some other time, and some other place: O, not to-day; not now!"

I know 'tis a demon boding ill, I know I have power to do if I will, And I put my hand to th' plough; I have fair, sweet seeds in my barn, and lo! When all the furrows are ready to sow, The voice says, "O, not now!"

My peace I sell at the price of woe; In heart and in spirit I suffer so, The anguish wrings my brow; But still I linger and cry for grace,— "Some other time, and some other place: O, not to-day; not now!"

I talk to my stubborn heart and say, The work I must do I will do to-day; I will make to the Lord a vow: And I will not rest and I will not sleep Till the vow I have vowed I rise and keep; And the demon cries, "Not now!"

And so the days and the years go by, And so I register lie upon lie, And break with Heaven my vow; For when I would boldly take my stand, This terrible demon stays my hand,— "O, not to-day; not now!" —Alice Cary.