If We Knew

If we knew the cares and crosses

Crowding round our neighbor's way;

If we knew the little losses,

Sorely grievous day by day,

Would we then so often chide him

For the lack of thrift and gain-

Casting o'er his life a shadow,

Leaving on his heart a stain.

If we knew the silent story

Quivering through the heart of pain,

Would our womanhood dare doom them

Back to haunts of guilt again?

Life hath many a tangled crossing.

Joy hath many a break of woe,

 And the cheeks tear washed seem whitest,

This the blessed angels know.

Let us reach into our bosoms

For the key to other lives,

And with love to erring nature,

Cherish good that still survives;

So that when our disrobed spirits

Soar to realms of light again,

We may say, dear Father, judge us

As we judged our fellowmen.

-Unknown

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