LITTLE THINGS | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1879

LITTLE THINGS.

WE call him strong who stands unmoved— Calm as some tempest-beaten rock— When some great trouble hurls its shock; We say of him his strength is proved, But when the spent storm folds its wings, How bears he then life's little things?

About his brow we twine our wreath Who seeks the battle's thickest smoke, Braves flashing gun and saber stroke, And scoffs at danger, laughs at death; We praise him till the whole land rings; But is he brave in little things?

We call him great who does some deed That echo bears from shore to shore— Does that, and then does nothing more; Yet would his work earn richer meed, When brought before the King of kings, Were he but great in little things.

We closely guard our castle-gates When great temptations loudly knock, Draw every bolt, clinch every lock, And sternly fold our bars and gates; Yet some small door wide open swings At the sly touch of little things.

I can forgive—'tis worth my while— The treacherous blow, the cruel thrust; Can bless my foe, as Christian must, While Patience smiles her royal smile; Yet quick resentment fiercely slings Its shots of ire at little things.

And I can tread beneath my feet The hills of Passion's heaving sea, When wind-tossed waves roll stormily; Yet scarce resist the sirens sweet That at my heart's door softly sings, "Forget, forget life's little things."

But what is life? Drops make the sea; And petty cares and small events, Small causes and small consequents, Make up the sum for you and me; Then, O for strength to meet the stings, That arm the points of little things.