ONLY by Rosa A. Young

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 22, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 50.

ONLY.

By Rosa A. Young

BY ROSA A. YOUNG.

ONLY a little word carelessly flung From lips that encircled a mischievous tongue, But it fell on a heart bowed in grief for its sin, And it caused dull despair to triumph within.

Only a root left to grow in the ground, But it flourished and spread baneful influence round, And the soil that was once so fertile and fair Yielded naught but the worthless encumberer there.

Only a little child, prattling and gay, Caressing his hand in its sweet, childish way, But it brought to a prodigal, straying from home, The thought of the mother who prayed him to come.

Only a flower, simple, fragrant, and sweet, That someone had dropped on the wide, busy street, But it lightened the room where a sufferer lay, Shut out from the brightness and beauty of day.

Only a seed falling down to the earth Which nourished and warmed it to being and birth, But it grew to a tree whose widespread branches made For the worn, weary traveler a rest and a shade.

Only a part of the labor each day, But steadily working, each step of the way Is finished at length, and wrought one by one, And little by little the great task was done.

Only a whisper breathed low on the ear, Speaking of hope, of courage and cheer, But it gave quickened impulse to try once again, In spite of discouragement, hardship, and pain.

Only a smile, but it cheered a tired heart That bravely to duty was doing its part; Only a word, but what power it gave To one who was seeking the erring to save.

Only a tear that in secret was shed, But it told of a heart that in penitence bled, And the angels rejoiced at the true token given, And, "Behold, now he prays," is recorded in heaven.

Pitcairn Island.