January 24
SERVICE OF HUMILITY
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your
minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him
be your servant.”—St. Matt. xx. 26, 27.
I seek not, Lord, some easy task,
No gain or glory do I ask
Nor any cheap successes;
No market pricing of men's lips
A year, a day, and then eclipse—
Nor fortune's false caresses.
I only covet to be free,
To serve my brother,—serving Thee.
The riches that I crave are Thine
Alone, which Thou dost first refine
By daily cares and losses;
The modest choice of Mary's part,
The secret of a humble heart
Learnt not by crowns but crosses.
For what I need and value most,
Is place by Thee at Duty's post.
Mine incompleteness which would fall
Without Thy help that giveth all,
Fill up though but through trials;
If I must pass the purging flame,
It will grow meek at Jesu's Name
And make Divine denials.
I am content to live or die,
Because within Thy Love I lie.
