Suggested by one of the last sayings of M. C. O., “It is most important to redeem the time: to work while it is called today......I think I’ve finished, done all, have I not? Now let me go.”
“Work, while ‘tis called today; redeem the time õ
Press toward the goal:
Sister beloved, those dying words of thine
Ring through my soul!
“Work while ‘tis called today—my work is done;
Now let me go “Finished life task;” come,
Savior, quickly come,
Oh! why so slow?
The strong brave loving heart lies still at last
Its throbbings o’er!
Folded the busy hands; the willing feet
Can serve no more!
All finished, sister; yes! thy glowing sun
Went down at noon!
Thine earthly hopes, thy purposes and joys,
Over, how soon!
The ceaseless round, the daily household care,
Forever done;
Ended the conflict, weariness, and toil;
The victory won.
And can we wish thee back, for whom all grief
Is over now?
Dawns the eternal day; the peace of God
Rests on thy brow.
The royal messenger arrived at noon,
In heat of day;
“A summons from the King. He bids thee haste
Make no delay.”
He found thee busy at thine appointed task
In heart and hand,
Thronged with life’s cares; engirdled with the love
Of household band.
Child voices lisped thy name, a husband’s heart
Leaned upon thine;
Couldst thou leave all, and joyfully obey
The call divine?
Yes; not a teardrop fell, as love’s sweet bands
Were all untied;
No vain regrets, as life’s unfinished tasks
Were laid aside.
Calmly resigning all, she turned away
And laid her down,
By the dark river which divides earth’s cross
From heaven’s bright crown.
Swiftly, without a cloud, her sun went down,
Gilding the wave;
And Christ’s own hands were stretched across the flood
Mighty to save
A sigh, no more! the prisoned soul is free
Away! away!
And angel squadrons heralded thy flight
To realms of day.
The veil is dropped, sister beloved: Adieu!
Vainly we stand,
Striving to paint the glories of thy home,
At His right hand.
Thou art with Him! Enough! Thy joy is ours.
Here we can rest
Leaving thee till the bright eternal morrow,
On Jesu’s breast.
M. Fitz G.