Poem January 22, 1944 Issue

Then and Now

MARJORIE N. BUFFUM

Said a voice gentle and deep,
"Feed my sheep"—
The sheep that he had shepherded
And then confided to the twelve.
Twelve, did I say?
Alas, but one of his own sheep did go astray;
Yet there is one fold and one shepherd.
"And other sheep I have," he said;
"Them also I must bring"
Into the fold,
That fold that yet shall be,
Where all shall, like little children,
Gather at the Father's knee!

And what of us, disciples of today?
Do we obey
That tender, brief command
To keep our thoughts
Within the fold of Truth,
To owe our brother man nothing but love?
Iniquity indeed does much abound;
Offenses come by many,
Sheep that stray.
Yet love in faithful hearts
Does not wax cold,
But, trusting, glows more brightly, knowing still
That there is just one shepherd and one fold.