Ah Christian! if the needy poor

Have e'er unheeded been,

Beware lest at thy closed door

The Saviour stood unseen.

Let heart and house be open thrown,

Thy gifts with others share;

Let holy charity be shown

To all who need thy care.

Then, while thy glance abroad is cast,

The Lord is by thy side;

For through the open door He passed

Because it was so wide.

And ere thy beating heart can guess

Who entered by the door,

His gracious bands are raised to bless

Thy basket and thy store;

To bless thee all time's little day,

With His almighty love:

To bless the long eternity

That waits for thee above--

Where soon the pearly gates, which stand,

To all He'll open throw,

Who, for His sake, with willing hand,

Did minister below.