p. 668 | The Home Circle by Mary H. Rowland

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 5, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 42.

The Home Circle.

By Mary H. Rowland

NOTHING TO SHOW.

"My day has all gone"—'twas a woman who spoke, As she turned her face to the sunset glow— "And I have been busy the whole day long; But for my work there is nothing to show."

No painting nor sculpture her hand had wrought; No laurel of fame her labor had won. What was she doing in all the long day, With nothing to show at the set of the sun?

What was she doing? Listen; I'll tell you What she was doing in all the long day: Beautiful deeds too many to number; Beautiful deeds in a beautiful way;

Womanly deeds that a woman may do, Trifles that only a woman can see, Wielding a power unmeasured, unknown, Whenever the light of her presence might be.

She had rejoiced with those who rejoiced, Wept with the sad, and strengthened the weak; And a poor wanderer, straying in sin, She in compassion had gone forth to seek.

Unto the poor her aid had been given, Unto the weary the rest of her home; Freely her blessings to others were given, Freely and kindly to all who had come.

Humbly and quietly all the long day Had her sweet service for others been done; Yet for the labor of heart and of hand What could she show at set of the sun?

Ah! she forgot that our Father in Heaven Ever is watching the work that we do, And records he keeps of all we forget, Then judges our work with judgment that's true.

For an angel writes down in a volume of gold The beautiful deeds that all do below. Though nothing she had at set of the sun, The angel above had something to show. —Mary H. Rowland.