NOBODY'S DARLING | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 23, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 12.

NOBODY'S DARLING.

Out in the heat, or pitiless cold, And far away from the Shepherd's fold, Nobody's darlings stray; The whole long day in the lonely street, With shivering forms and naked feet, They tramp their weary way.

No clean, soft bed when the nightfall comes; Only "the stairs" in the wretched slums, Or "doorstep" bleak and drear, For homeless, wandering waifs to sleep, Where nobody's darlings wake to weep, No loving mother near.

The bright birds fly to their downy nest, Or soar away o'er the ocean's crest To seek a fairer land; But nobody's darlings stand and wait With pleading gaze through the opening gate, Where dwell sweet mercy's band.

O blessed homes, where children find A refuge safe, and a welcome kind, And hearts of tender love; Where nobody's darlings sleep at night, In their snow-white cots so clean and bright, Sheltered like weary dove!

Ye men of wealth, with a helping hand, Come to the aid of the noble band Who seek lost gems to win. The children's angels are yearning o'er Fair childhood blighted on life's black shore, 'Mid earth's dark scenes and din.

Nobody's darlings! gather them in; Poor little outcasts of want and sin, Bring them into the fold, And tell them of God's bright home above, Of its gates of pearl, its light, its love, And streets of shining gold. —Selected.