Oh, may I never seek to serve Thee, Lord,
Through pride of human intellect or will,
Nor envy those who, humbler, more unselfed,
Thy highest offices so nobly fill!
But when, through rising from the things of sense,
I hear at last the summons of Thy voice,
However lowly or obscure the task,
Help me stand steadfast then, yea, and rejoice,
Unmoved alike by censure or by praise
Of earthly counsels, which must end in dust,
But careful only lest I should betray
The purpose God-committed to my trust.
Lift up my faith to see Thy perfect plan,
Which fills the measure of each waiting heart
With all the good for which it has made room
Through each wise choosing of Love's better part.
