KEEP THY HEART by John Wm. Stein

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 15, 1902

"KEEP THY HEART."

By John Wm. Stein

A MAN may lose his lungs in part, May lose one half of all his brain, And live and work; but losing heart, He never lives to work again. An auricle, ventricle, gone, An artery or valve let loose, And life no longer can be borne, Its fountain is of no more use. Then guard it well from every foe— Disease, the vile assassin's dart; Expose it not to needless blow. With all thy keeping, "keep thy heart."

The memory may be at fault, The understanding go astray; The judgment may be in default, The will be bankrupt—can not pay; But if man's courage still is strong, If all his purposes are true, He still may live and labor long, And to the end at last endure. Then take good courage and be strong; Determine to do well thy part; Gladden thy way with cheerful song, Move on and upward,—"keep thy heart."

Keep it from sinister designs; Keep it from sordid gains and trusts; Keep it from evil ways and wines; Keep it from vile, debasing lusts; Keep it in wisdom's peaceful ways; Keep it in virtue's faithful charge; Keep it in truth's bright beams and rays; Keep it for usefulness at large. Keep it with all thy diligence; Keep its life issues. Be thy part To give right its true prominence, And in God's keeping, "keep thy heart."

Yes, give it into His control, "Give Me thy heart," the Master said. He is creation's central Soul, Without His life thyself art dead. Lay bare to Him every design, Commit thy likes, dislikes as well; Trust thou His grace, free and benign, And in His all-wise counsels dwell. Happy the soul with such a Friend,— Omniscient, omnipresent, part; Here let thy cares all have an end; In His safe keeping, "keep thy heart," JOHN WM. STEIN.