THE "DEATHLESS SPARK."
By Eliza H. Morton
WE live for what?—"To lift humanity," Some say, "to help our fellow-men," and how? To give them broader views of life, to ease Their pain, to teach them truth and love, to take Their feet from paths of sin, and thus to give That which we have within. And what have we?— "A deathless spark at center of the soul." And whence that spark?—Ah, let us think! Without the words of Holy Writ no man Can tell. We read that long and long ago, When man by disobedience lost all, The Father kind so loved the world, So yearned to save from sin, that he in one Great gift poured out all heaven for us,—the life Of his dear Son, and this by promise sure Long ere it was fulfilled. The gospel note Proclaimed that enmity should be between The serpent and the woman's seed—and this The deathless spark that lives within the soul. The One who hung upon the cross draws all Men unto him. What tho' they seem to give No heed to that dear voice? It calls and draws The same; and all the good we find in man To-day is but the flashing of that spark. We try to lift humanity,—and how? Perchance by reflex action from that spark, Thinking that we ourselves have this great power. We may succeed in helping men, but not In full, and not to that extent we might If we would let the spark spring up a flame Within the heart, and shed its glory bright O'er all our words and ways. Aye, this would be The Christ life in its beauty grand, and men Would recognize its power. Those who in self Put all their trust can lead those whom they seek To help to nothing higher than a god Of clay, to nothing nobler than the things Of earth, unless, perchance, the spark within Should flash and touch a fellow spark, and thus Enkindle without help a blaze. And what About the spark? Will it remain for aye Within the heart?—Ah, no, the time will come When it will be removed, if cherished not! But God is merciful and kind and good, And long he waits in tender love, and long He pleads. He draws each soul unto his own With gentleness; and seeks to fan the spark That smolders low, and thus to give it life. O ye who trust in vain philosophy, Beware! The wisdom of the wise is naught But foolishness. In vain ye seek to make Yourself more noble and more wise. Your dreams Of progress are the dreams that come not true. Apart from God how weak is man! In him How strong! In him we best can serve the world.