The Greatest of These Is Charity
By Mrs. R. C. Baker
By the Late Mrs. R. C. Baker Tho burning eloquence were mine,
As might befit an angel's tongue;
The listening multitudes, entranced,
Upon my words of wisdom hung,—
Yet were they void of life and soul
As tinkling cymbal's empty sound,
Unless sweet love pervade the whole,
And stir my soul to depths profound.
O charity! sweet charity!
How oft we err for lack of thee! Altho mine eye with prophet's glance
Into the distant future looks;
Can comprehend all mysteries,
And all the lore contained in books;
Tho mountains move at my command,
And launch their bases in the sea,—
Yet all were vain and profitless
Without thy grace, sweet charity!
O charity! sweet charity!
How much we lose for lack of thee! Altho I never turn away
The destitute that throng my door;
Altho my goods I freely give
To feed and clothe the suffering poor;
Tho with a martyr's fiery zeal
I give my body to the stake,—
Yet I am naught in Heaven's regard
If 'twere not done for love's sweet sake.
O charity! sweet charity!
To heaven's gate thou hast the key. Love envies not the rich and great;
It suffers long, and still is kind;
Is not puffed up with vanity,
Nor of a proud and boastful mind;
Commits no rash, unseemly act;
Seeks not for selfish gain or ease;
With patience bears life's countless ills,
Nor e'en a brother's failing sees.
O charity! sweet charity!
How vain our hopes devoid of thee! Over the sins of men it weeps,
Yet lifts a firm, dissenting voice;
Dark deeds of shame will favor not,
But in the truth alone rejoice;
All things it bears for Jesus' sake;
Hopeth, believeth, to the end;
All pain, all shame, all grief endures
Which God's wise providence may send.
O charity! sweet charity!
Exemplified on Calvary! Prophetic visions all will fail,
Hope shall in glad fruition cease,
And earthly knowledge be forgot,
Lost in the wondrous reign of peace;
Yet charity shall never fail,
But in that glorious, perfect day,
When we shall see as we are seen,
Shall reign enthroned for aye and aye.
O charity! sweet charity!
Greatest of all the lovely three!