The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-12-20
THE SINGLE HEAD OF WHEAT,
LAYETTE Z, ELDRED.

All my daily taska were ended,
And the hush of night had come,
Bringing rest to weary spirits,
Calling many wanderers home.
''He that goeth forth with weeping,
Bearing golden grains Of wheat,
Shall return again, rejoicing,
Laden with the harvest sweet"
This read and deeply pondered
What OF seed my hand had sown
What of harvest was reaping
To be laid before the throne
While my thoughts were swiftly plancino
Der the paths my feet had trod,
Sleep sealed up my weary eyelids,
And vision came from God,
In the worlds great field of labor
All the reapers tasks were done.
Each one FASTENED TO the Master
With the sheaves that he had won
Some, with sheayes so poor and scanty.
sadly told the number GER
Others staggered meath the burden
ofthe golden grain they bore.
Gladly, then, the pearly gateways
Opened wide TO let them in,
As they sought the Masters presence
With their burdens rich and thin,
Slowly, sadly, with the reapers
who had labored long and late,
Came at the Masters bidding,
And was latest at the gate.
Then apart from all the others,
Weeping bitterly, l stood,
I had toiled from early morning,
Working for the Others good.
When one friend had fallen, faintipg,
BY his piles Of golden grain,
With glass of cooling water
revived his strength again.
and another. worn and weary,
had aided for awhile,
I'LL, her falling strength returning,
She went forward with smile
qhus the others had aided, -..
While the golden moments fed,
TIL the day was spent and evening
On the earth her tear-drop8 she'd
And to the Masters presence
Came with weary, tOilworn feet,
Bearing as my gathered harvest,
But single head Of wheat
So with fearful eyes watched them,
As, with faces glad aud bright,
One by one they laid their burdens
Down before The throne of light
'Yet love the Master truly,
And I've labored hard since dawn,
But have no heavy burden;
Will he bid me to BECOME %
While questioned thus In sadness,
Chris, the Master called for me,
And knelt before him, saying.
az have only this for thee1
"f have labored hard, o Master,
have toiied from morn till night,
But / sought to ali my nelghbors,
And to make their labor light,
$50 the day has passed unnoliced,
And tonight with shame come.
Bringing, as my gathered harvest.
But single wheaL-head home"
Then laid it down, with weeping,
At his blessed, pierced feet,
And he smiled upon my trembling
All his smile was passing sweet.
"Child, 1t is enough" he answered,
All asked for, tGou hast brought,
And among ihs hand of rear ers,
Truly, brarely hast thou wrought
This was thine appointed mission,-
Well hast ttOu ps rformed thy task;
Have no fear that | would cbide thee,
This is all that would ask"
Then woke, but long, the vision
In my heart pendered DER,
While tried To see what meaning,
Hidden in its depths, it bore.
And o. lenStA, this lcsso... slowly
DaWned upon my wondering mind;
Never nina WHAT others gather,
Do what Ger thy hand can find.
If II be thy lotted mission
Thus 10 serve the reaper band,
a nl me evening find the weary,
With an empty, sheafess hand
Let Thy heart be never troubled.
- Faithfully fulfill thy task;
Iremble not before the Master.
Heavy sheaves he will not ask.