p. 1 | Hold the Light

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Woodland, Cal. · Oct 22, 1874

Hold the Light.

Ho! thou traveler on life's highway Moving carelessly along-- Pausing not to watch the shadows Lowering o'er the mighty throng! Stand aside, and mark how feebly Some are struggling in the fight, Turning on thee wistful glances-- Begging thee to hold the light!

Look! upon thy right a brother Wanders blindly from the way; And upon thy left a sister, Frail and erring, turns astray. One kind word, perchance, may save them-- Guide their wayward steps aright; Canst thou, then, withhold thy counsel? No! but fly and hold the light.

Hark! a feeble wail of sorrow Bursts from the advancing throng; And a little child is groping Through the darkness, deep and long; 'Tis a timid orphan, shivering 'Neath misfortune's withering blight; Friends, home, love, are all denied her-- Oh! in pity, hold the light!

Not alone from heathen darkness, Where the pagan bends the knee, Worshiping his brazen image With a blind idolatry-- Where no blessed gospel teachings E'er illume the soul's dark night, Comes the cry to fellow mortals, Wild and pleading, "Hold the Light!"

Here, as well, in life's broad highway, Are benighted wanderers found; And if all the strong would heed them, Lights would glimmer all around. Acts of love, and deeds of kindness, Then would make earth's pathway bright, And there'd be no need of calling, "Ho! thou traveler, hold the light!"