NOTHING BUT LEAVES

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 26.

NOTHING BUT LEAVES.

Nothing but leaves. The spirit grieves Over a wasted life; Sins committed while conscience slept, Promises made, but never kept— Hatred, battle and strife— Nothing but leaves.

Nothing but leaves—no garnered sheaves Of life's fair ripened grain; Words, idle words, for earnest deeds; We sow our seeds; lo! tares and weeds; We reap with toil and pain Nothing but leaves.

Nothing but leaves; memory weaves No veil to screen the past; As we retrace our weary way, Counting each lost and misspent day, We sadly find at last Nothing but leaves.

And shall we meet the Master so, Bearing our withered leaves? The Saviour looks for perfect fruit; We stand before him humbled, mute, Waiting the word he breathes, “Nothing but leaves.” —Sel.