"Set your mind (margin) on things above, and not on things on the earth." (Col. 3: 2).
How often is the mind
Engaged with earthly things!
How often do we find,
Our soul, alas! still clings
To something which a Father's love—
Who reigns in light enthroned above,
And seeing what we cannot see,
Right on into Eternity—
Has told us plainly in His word
No lasting joy can e'er afford,
Which only hinders in the race
To which He calls us by His grace!
How slow we are to learn
The wisdom of His ways!
Sometimes we think Him stern,
And feel we cannot praise,
When what we value and esteem—
Maybe some fondly cherished dream—
Is taken from us at a stroke!
Although we pray Him to revoke
The 'sentence which so harsh appears,
Until His light our vision clears,
And then we see His perfect way,
Which leads to everlasting day.
Oh! He would have our hearts
Engaged with Him above,
While He to us imparts
The knowledge of His love.
'Tis only when we're freed from earth,
Its joy, its treasure, and its mirth,
He can to us His love make known.
Then up! oh, let us not bemoan
The loss of things so little worth,
Belonging to this ruined earth I
"For where your treasure is," saith He,
"Your heart and mind will ever be.”
E. T.