Classic Poem

THE MARK MASTER .

God trusts to each a portion of his plan,
And doth for honest labor wages giye;
Wisdom and time he granteth every man,
And will not idleness and sloth forgive;
The week is waning fast — art thou prepared,
O Laborer, for the Overseer's reward?

Hast thou been waiting in the market here,
Because no man hath hired thee? rise and go!
The sun on the meridian doth appear,
The Master calls thee to his service now;
Rise up, and go, wherever duty calls,
And build with fervency the Temple walls.

Behold, within the heavenly home above
One who hath done his life-tasks faithfully;
In the dark quarries all the week he strove,
And " bore the heat and burden of the day "
So, when life's sun passed downward to the West,
Richest refreshment was his lot, and rest.

So shall it be with thee, O, toiling one!
However hard thine earthly lot may seem;
It is not long until the set of sun,
And then the past will be a pleasing dream;
The Sabbath, to the faithful laborer given,
Is blest companionship, and rest, and heaven.