A FAITHFULL student read one night
The Holy Scriptures,—his Scriptures,—his delight,
His guide, his stay, his daily bread,—
And these words stopped him as he read:
"Thou shalt increase my greatness." Yea,
But what is greatness, who may say?
Can it be wealth or power or fame,
Or anything which men acclaim?
Is it that greatness hedged with caste,
Rank, pomp, precedence? Surely, passed
Are all these childish vanities;
And God increaseth none of these.
Thoughtfully then he viewed the night;
The skies were clear, but moonless quite;
Dull, dark, and helpless, there earth lay,
Awaiting the awak'ning ray
Is not this my dark, helpless state,
Before earth's shadows deep abate
Beneath Love's rays of living light,
Which drive before them darkest night?
My greatness—is it not then plain—
Is to reflect Love's light again.
And daily making shadows cease,
My greatness thus He shall increase.
