Taking Joy Home by Annie Cowan Sangster

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 21, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 12.

Taking Joy Home

By Annie Cowan Sangster

To AWAKE full of joy that the Master Doth so graciously lengthen our days; Work and play will be sweet if with hands, heart, and feet We willingly follow His ways.

Taking time in the dawn of the morning, Ere the day's varied labors unfold, To uplift our eyes where in sunrise skies Seems mirrored the City of Gold.

In each sweet opening blossom, a tender And a beautiful token to see: He who cares for the flowers through the day's changeful hours Will ever be mindful of me.

To list amidst the busiest duties To the songs where the rose vines entwine; For the birds of the air have no sorrow nor care, They are kept by a love divine.

Breathing deep of the peace of the night-time, In the open, where white lilies are — For He holds in its place, in the infinite space, Each glittering, tremulous star.

In the holy of holies to enter, To commune with our great High Priest; Tender watch He will keep, while His loved ones sleep, When the toil of the day has ceased.

Just to look for the joy that lies near us — There is more than our poor heart can hold; And the seeker for truth finds the fountain of youth, Finds the wealth of a treasure untold.

Call these beautiful blessings not common; They are wondrous and free to all ranks; And the glad heart in tune finds them lavishly strewn; Each day yields a harvest of thanks.