The Home Circle by Charles Swain

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 26, 1882

The Home Circle.

By Charles Swain

WANT OF THOUGHT.

TIME to me this truth hath taught, 'Tis a truth that's worth revealing;— More offend from want of thought, Than from any want of feeling. If advice we would convey, There's a time we should convey it; If we've but a word to say, There's a tone in which to say it.

Many a beauteous flower decays, Though we tend it e'er so much; Something secret on it preys, Which no human aid can touch! So in many a lovely breast, Lies some canker-grief concealed; That if touched, is more oppressed! Left unto itself—is healed!

Oft, unknowingly, the tongue Touches on a chord so aching, That a word, or accent wrong, Pains the heart almost to breaking. Many a tear of wounded pride, Many a fault of human blindness, Had been soothed, or turned aside, By a quiet voice of kindness!

Time to me this truth hath taught, 'Tis a truth that's worth revealing;— More offend from want of thought, Than from any want of feeling. —Charles Swain.