"Behold, I come quickly." So come, we beseech Thee;
But what are we doing to hasten the day
When earth shall be filled with the light of Thy glory,
To bring back the King from the land far away?
Are we sowing the seed on the field and the wayside?
Or reaping the harvests long waiting and white?
Are we keeping our lamps filled and shining and burning,
And holding them high in the darkness of night?

"Behold, I come quickly." So come, we entreat Thee;
But how are we helping to answer our prayer?
Do we gather the stumblingblocks out of the highway,
And make smooth the path for the feet that walk there?
Are we doing Thy will? Are we giving Thy message
To souls Thou hast loved and redeemed on the cross?
Do we show forth Thy grace to the sad world around us?
Thy patience in trial, Thy comfort in loss?

We watch for the signs and we love Thine appearing,
We long for the peace that Thy kingdom will bring.
But what are we doing to hasten Thy coming?
And how are we helping to bring back the King?

( Annie Johnson Flint )