Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ONE DAY'S SERVICE, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ONE DAY'S SERVICE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, to serve god for a day!
Last Line: I think I could perfectly serve him forever -- forever and aye.
Subject(s): Worship


Oh, to serve God for a day!
From jubilant morn to the peace and the calm of the night
To tread no path but His happy and blossoming way,
To seek no delight
But the joy that is one with the joy at heaven's heart;
Only to go where Thou art,
O God of all blessing and beauty! to love, to obey,
With obedience sweetened by love, and love made strong by the right;
Not once, not once to be drunken with self,
Or to play the hypocrite's poisoned part,
Or to bend the knee of my soul to the passion for pelf,
Or the glittering gods of the mart;
Through each glad hour to lay on the wings of its flight
Some flower for the angels' sight,
Some fragrant fashion of service, scarlet and white,
White for the pure intent, and red where the pulses start:
Oh, if I thus could serve Him, could perfectly serve Him one day,
I think I could perfectly serve Him forever -- forever and aye.





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