Religion

Christian life's no bank of roses

by John S. B. Monsell 1811–1875

From Parish Musings (1863)

Religion

Christian life's no bank of roses
Where we idly sit and sing,
'Till the gathering evening closes, —
Christian life's an earnest thing.

Full of vows and full of labour,
All our days fresh duties bring,
First to God, and then our neighbour, —
Christian life's an earnest thing.

Onward — ever onward pressing,
Yet untired as Angel's wing,
Believing, doing, blest, and blessing, —
Christian life's an earnest thing.

On its wayside none may linger
Undisturb'd by sorrow's sting,
Or by judgment's warning finger, —
Christian life's an earnest thing.

Wake then, Christian, from thy slumber,
Evening doth its shadows bring;
Few the hours thy day may number, —
Christian life's an earnest thing.

✦ ✦ ✦

Text: I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day ; the night cometh, when no man can work. — John ix. 4.

MLA

Monsell, John S. B. “Christian life's no bank of roses.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/monsell/197/.

Chicago

Monsell, John S. B. “Christian life's no bank of roses.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/monsell/197/.

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