"Go thy way for this time."
The Savior calls! He speaks to all;
"O! Listen to My cry;
I'll set you free from Satan's thrall—
O, why, then, will you die?
Believe in Me—believe today:”
Men list awhile then turn away,
Their hearts intently set
On something they would first obtain,
Renown or pleasure, ease or gain,
And they respond, "Not yet!”
"Not yet: I wish to get a name,”
Said one whose cheeks were pale,
Already known to earthly fame,
Yet wishing to excel;
"Relieved of all my labor soon,
Rest shall be mine—a long-sought boon,
Then I will seek Thy face."
Alas! before it came he fell,
And sad, O sad, indeed, to tell,
Unsought the God of grace.
"Not yet," said one, and went her way,
On pleasure bent alone,—
"I'll think of Thee another day,
When age comes creeping on.”
Then mingling in the busy crowd,
Her heart was light, her laugh was loud,
As pleasure's round she tried;
But sickness came—again the voice
Said, "Make the Savior now thy choice.”
"Not yet," she said, and died.
"Not yet: my business claims my mind,”
Said one, and went his way;
"Another season I must find,—
I cannot yield today.”
Forthwith with heart and soul he went,
On enterprise and business bent,
Nor thought of aught beside;
Immersed in cares, no time he found,
To think to where his soul was bound,
And so he lived, and died.
"Not yet!" alas! the echoed phrase,
We hear as on we wend,
From youthful lips, and those whose days,
Are drawing to an end.
Life, precious life, they thus despise,
For while they wait, the blessing flies:
The Savior says, "Today.”
Be wise; on Jesus fix thy heart,
And choosing thus the "better part,”
Rejoicing, speed thy way.