Poems (Kimball)/"Confess your Faults one to Another"

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

"CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER."

HOW often, dearest Lord,
 Within the closet's hush,
Do we confess our sins to Thee
   With tear or blush!

But when in word or deed
 Some brother we offend,
Though one sweet utterance would keep
   Our friend our friend,

How, trampling on Thy grace,
 Pride will repentance foil,
And from confession due to him
   Our hearts recoil!

"I cannot stoop to that,"
 Self-love in secret cries;
The fear of man, not fear of sin,
   Before her eyes.

Oh, if our fear of man
 Were lost in love of Thee;
If Thy dear likeness we possessed
   In least degree;

The coldness we might meet,
 The poor vague sense of loss,
The small contempt that often seems
   The sorest cross,

The world's derision cast
 On acts of lowliness,—
How would we brave them for Thy sake,
   To make redress!

The hour is near when earth
 No longer will appall;
But only words and deeds that hour
   Beyond recall.

I would not leave undone
 The work Thou gavest me,
Nor my transgressions unconfessed,
   Dear Lord, to Thee.

But oh, that other test
 Of those who name Thy Name;
The bearing of that outward cross
   That Thou dost claim!

Sweet Jesus, give me grace,
 And make me swift to say,
"I own my fault, good neighbor mine;
   Forgive, I pray."

And should my neighbor turn
 Away frown me his face,
Sufficient for my humbled soul
   Would be Thy grace.