WHOSE COUNSEL SHALL I FOLLOW?
By A. P. Patten
When they tell me there is sadness marked upon my brow,
And ask why I'm down-hearted, what it is that casts me down:
Could they but sympathize with me, my feelings they might know;
I would tell them all the sorrows of my poor sin-sick soul. These youthful friends oft counsel me to join in earth's gay scenes,
And drive away my sadness with its delusive dreams;
But I'm well aware such counsel does not in wisdom stand;
And have lately sought out Christians, to enquire for a better land. They tell me to follow Jesus, all God's commands obey,
To read the Holy Bible, to be sober, watch and pray:
Forsake earth's guilty pleasures, its enchantments leave behind—
Righteousness to seek for, and eternal life to find. Then with God's remnant people in meekness let me stand,
And strive for life eternal with the little pilgrim band.
When to gather up his jewels, our Lord and Saviour comes,
I hope he'll take me with them to their blissful happy home. A. P. PATTEN.
Brewerton, N. Y.