Poem February 19, 1938 Issue

The Law of Jesus

E. MADGE CARLESS

They brought her to him in the temple court;
Their work it was to read and write the law,
And punish those who sinned against that law.
But Jesus, seeing deep into their hearts,
Challenged their goodness and their gentleness.
He, without sin, let him first cast a stone,
He said, and stooping, with his finger wrote
Upon the ground as if they were not there.
Behold, those virtuous men were looking down
Into the dust of selfishness and vice,
And, one by one, they crept away unseen!

Then, turning round, he lifted himself up
And found the woman standing there alone.
She stood there silent in that holy place,
Where there was naught but love and pity found;
Then turned and faced him, waiting for his word,
Nor pleaded mercy, knowing peace at last.
Hath no man yet accused thee? No man, Lord,
She answered him. And then he said those words
Which sinners love today, as she of yore,
Neither do I condemn thee, sin no more.