KEPT by R. Kelso Carter

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 20, 1893

"KEPT."

By R. Kelso Carter

BY R. KELSO CARTER.

Beset by danger, and dark, and doom, Along the path that ends in a tomb, 'Neath shrouded skies and lowering gloom, "Kept!"

Helpless and homeless, sad and lone, Weary and worn, in the desert prone, Too faint to cry and too weak to moan, "Kept!"

Under the cold blue hollow sky, Mockingly echoing every cry, Desperately tempted to wish to die, "Kept!"

When trooping legions of doubt assail, When friends prove false, and foes prevail, And human resources utterly fail, "Kept!"

Bound hand and foot, nowhere to go But into the flames, that the mighty foe Hath seven times heated in fiery glow, "Kept!"

Right in the sweep of the tyrant's rod, Walking the path that the Master trod, Close by, the Fourth, like the Son of God, "Kept!"

Steadily upward faith forges each link, Actually rising when seeming to sink, Lifted to life from death's very brink, "Kept!"

Greater the foe, and stronger the fight, Greater the victor. Dark the night, Clear the stars, in their heaven-born light, "Kept!"

Tell of the strength of the chains now riven; Sweeter the tribute when "much forgiven;" Chief of the praises that ring in heaven, "Kept!"

—N. Y. Observer.