IF CHRIST CAME QUESTIONING

If Christ came questioning His world to-day,

(If Christ came questioning,)

‘What hast thou done to glorify thy God,

Since last My feet this lower earth plane trod?’

How could I answer Him; and in what way

One evidence of my allegiance bring;

If Christ came questioning.

If Christ came questioning, to me alone,

(If Christ came questioning,)

I could not point to any church or shrine

And say, ‘I helped build up this house of Thine;

Behold the altar, and the corner stone’;

I could not show one proof of such a thing;

If Christ came questioning.

If Christ came questioning, on His demand,

(If Christ came questioning,)

No pagan soul converted to His creed

Could I proclaim; or say, that word or deed

Of mine, had spread the faith in any land;

Or sent it forth, to fly on stronger wing;

If Christ came questioning.

If Christ came questioning the soul of me,

(If Christ came questioning,)

I could but answer, ‘Lord, my little part

Has been to beat the metal of my heart,

Into the shape I thought most fit for Thee;

And at Thy feet, to cast the offering;

Shouldst Thou come questioning.

‘From out the earth-fed furnaces of desire,

(Ere Thou cam’st questioning,)

This formless and unfinished gift I brought,

And on life’s anvil flung it down, white hot:

A glowing thing, of selfishness and fire,

With blow on blow, I made the anvil ring;

(Ere Thou cam’st questioning).

‘The hammer, Self-Control, beat hard on it;

(Ere Thou cam’st questioning,)

And with each blow, rose fiery sparks of pain;

I bear their scars, on body, soul, and brain.

Long, long I toiled; and yet, dear Lord, unfit,

And all unworthy, is the heart I bring,

To meet Thy questioning.’