"Bear Ye One Another's Burdens."
By Henry O. Nichols
Give me to feel my brother's woe,
I have not much to bear;
My soul can take a part I know,
Can of his trials share;
For oft his spirit's bowed with grief,
'Tis then perchance I may
Administer some kind relief,
While others are away. Give me to feel my brother's woe,
He is quite near my side;
And onward up the stream we'll row,
Against the wind and tide.
Long he has toiled, while many a one
Laid down the heavy oar:—
Oh! I'll keep with him till he's done,
Until his task is o'er. Give me to feel my brother's woe,
And lightly him condemn,
If from the channel he should go,
As we the current stem.
I'll kindly whisper that he must,
The shoals and breakers flee;
And when I need it, I would trust
He'll do the same to me. Give me to feel my brother's woe,
Nor never once repine;
But every selfish thought forego,
And have his heart near mine.
The Golden Rule, perhaps I could
Observe in part, 'tis true—
"Do unto others as ye would
That they should do to you." Give me to feel my brother's woe,
And cheer his lonely hours,
When sickness doth his frame lay low
To enervate his powers.
At such a time the prayer of faith,
His restlessness might still:
Ask what ye may, our Master saith,
If ye but do my will. Then let me feel my brother's woe,
And lighten up his brow:
He has been with me years ago,
I will not leave him now.
The burden that is on him cast—
The persecution given,
I'll bear, and fondly hope at last,
To share with him in heaven.