THE HOME CIRCLE | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 3, 1878

THE HOME CIRCLE.

A Gentle Word.

A GENTLE word hath a magical power, The weary heart to beguile; It gladdens the eye, it lightens the brow, And changes the tear to a smile. In the genial sunshine it sheds around, The shadows of care depart; And we feel, in its soothing and friendly tone, There's balm for the wounded heart.

Oh! watch thou, then, that thy lips ne'er breathe A bitter, ungentle word; For that which is lightly and idly said, Is often too deeply heard. And though for the moment it leaves no trace; For pride will its woes conceal, Remember the spirit that's calm and still Is always the first to feel.

It may not be in thy power, perchance, To secure a lofty place, And blazen thy name upon history's page, As a friend of the human race; But oft in the daily tasks of life, Though the world behold thee not, Thy gentle and kindly words may soothe A desponding brother's lot.

'Tis well to walk with a cheerful heart, Wherever our fortunes call; With a friendly glance, and an open hand, And a gentle word for all. Since life is a thorny and difficult path, Where toil is the portion of man, We all should endeavor, while passing along, To make it as smooth as we can.

—Sel.