p. 11 | FORGET by Sibyl Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 13, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 15.

FORGET.

By Sibyl Smith

[By Sibyl Smith, in Church Advocate.]

Will you try to forget the ugly things That I have said and done? Will you try, from your memory's storage-room, To banish them every one? When you think of the past, and the part I had In bringing you grief or shame, Just put them away, And gen'rously say, "Perhaps she wasn't to blame."

Will you try to forget the ugly things? My heart is so sore and sad, To think I occasioned you pain and grief, When I wanted to make you glad. They sting me! they sting me! those ugly things That I didn't intend to do. They're hurting me yet; O, will you forget The things that were ugly to you?

Will you try to forget the ugly things? They keep us so far apart. You used to commune with me soul to soul, And talk with me heart to heart, But, while you remember the ugly things And treasure them up in store, A barrier high As from earth to sky, Divides us forever more.

And were there nothing but ugly things In all that I did and said? Were there any ready, willing feet On loving errands sped? Was there any word of kindly cheer, Or true, unselfish deed? Was nothing brought— No kindness wrought— To meet a pressing need?

Will you try to forget the ugly things? They are grievous to you as to me. Remove them as far as the east from the west, Or bury them deep in the sea. And did you never an ugly thing In action or word to me? And shall I forget, Or ponder them yet? Which way do you want it to be?

There's One who has seen all the ugly things That ever were said or done, And yet, from His memory's storage-room He'll banish them every one. And never again will He bring them up To sting us with grief or shame. And O! will you be As forgiving as He, And honor His glorious name?