If I, as faithful friend, held man to be
The likeness of his Father-Mother God,
I could not then my neighbor's effort see
With eye censorious as a task-man's rod.
If I, in Truth, would help him progress make,
I'd see the perfect man that God hath wrought;
Nor seek to plan the way that each should take;
Nor bind my brother with the critic's thought.
Within him is the kingdom and its joy;
I may not therefore chide, or look askance,
But try to unsee, pardon, or destroy
All things that seek to hinder his advance.
Since each up to the nobler way aspires,
This be the simple thing I try to do:
When zeal for others' good my heart inspires,
I'll trust in God to guide my brother too.
God's love is over all, and will conform
My brother's work—with mine—unto His plan;
My better part, then, be it to reform
My thought and leave to Him my brother-man.
