Adapted
“Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word....But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:39-4239And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:39‑42)).
Oft comes to me a blessed hour,
A wondrous hour and still —
With empty hands I sit me down,
No more to work or will.
Now all my labored thoughts have ceased,
I rest me at Thy feet,
And calmed by Heaven’s eternal peace,
I hear Thy words so sweet.
Erewhile I reasoned of Thy truth,
I searched with toil and care;
From morn to night I tilled my field,
And yet my field was bare.
Now, fed with corn from fields of Heaven,
The fruit of hands Divine,
I pray no prayer, for all is given,
The Bread of God is mine.
There lie my books — for all I sought
My heart possesses now.
Blest words are they which tell Thy love,
That love itself art Thou.
One line I read — and then no more —
I close the book to see
No more the symbol and the sign,
But Christ revealed to me.
I sit, an infant, at Thy feet,
Where moments teach me more
Than all the toil, and all the books
Of all the ages hoar.
And thus my worship is, delight —
My joy to see Thy face,
With folded hands and silent lips
Within Thy holy place.