Encouragement

By Ada Nealey
Dedicated to her brother, Elder Austin Watts

Quiet reigns this Sabbath evening, ‘round a western cottage home;
Even the telephone is silent, save an ever ceaseless moan.
In the twilight sits a sister, but her thoughts are far away;
She is thinking of a brother – Will they meet again some day?

Harken to the spirit’s whisper! “he who marks the sparrow’s fall,
In His kind care will remember those who answer duty’s call.”
He, like many scores of others, labors in a Southern clime,
For the spreading of the Gospel, to establish truth sublime.

“Cast thy bread upon the waters and it shall return again,”
So these faithful Elders labor, fishing for the souls of men.
Thus this absent one is doing, with no thought of home or time.
Send to him these words of comfort – I will read them line by line.

You are far away, dear brother, but you’re held in memory still,
May the grace of heaven guide you, strengthen hope, and courage give.
You may miss the dear home fireside, but the flames still brightly burn;
Father, mother, there are waiting, praying for your safe return.

Faithfully perform thy mission, brother, then through wind and storm
You are in the Lord’s true service, He will keep you from all harm.
Then how sweet the recollection of a noble work well done
When you leave Kentucky’s border and return to welcome home.

(1907)