"What hast thou in the house?"

AMY CAROLINE THROSSELL

Long had I sought,
Far-reaching was my quest;
I longed to entertain but one,
That one a hallowed guest.
I gathered in my house with pride
The richest treasures meet,—
Fine fabrics, pottery most rare,—
With these my guest to greet.
He did not come;
The time was long
Since I had asked him in;
And in my heart the song
Had ceased. I wept,
"He will not come!"
Although I'd put my treasures by,
And all for him had kept.

Out of my house I went
And walked beside a child;
The way was rough, and steep—so steep;
Then came a tempest wild.
I held so close the little child,
And this my only thought,
"God guides His children safely home."
My Father's way I sought.

I came unto my house again;
The child ran on before
And greeted me with happy voice
Ere I had reached my door:
"Such treasures in our house I find,
Of joy and sunlight pure!
Ah, only love and patience wrought
The patterns fine and sure!"
And thus he came—the guest I sought;
And in my house I found
Only the gifts that love had brought,
And scattered all around.
With humble heart I whispered low,
"I thank thee, Love, this day,
That thou hast shown me in my house
What I may keep alway."