If Christ Came Questioning

If Christ came questioning His world to-day,     (If Christ came questioning,)     'What hast thou done to glorify thy God,     Since last My feet this lower earth plane trod?'     How could I answer Him; and in what way     One evidence of my allegiance bring;     If Christ came questioning.     If Christ came questioning, to me alone,     (If Christ came questioning,)     I could not point to any church or shrine     And say, 'I helped build up this house of Thine;     Behold the altar, and the corner stone';     I could not show one proof of such a thing;     If Christ came questioning.     If Christ came questioning, on His demand,     (If Christ came questioning,)     No pagan soul converted to His creed     Could I proclaim; or say, that word or deed     Of mine, had spread the faith in any land;     Or sent it forth, to fly on stronger wing;     If Christ came questioning.     If Christ came questioning the soul of me,     (If Christ came questioning,)     I could but answer, 'Lord, my little part     Has been to beat the metal of my heart,     Into the shape I thought most fit for Thee;     And at Thy feet, to cast the offering;     Shouldst Thou come questioning.     'From out the earth-fed furnaces of desire,     (Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)     This formless and unfinished gift I brought,     And on life's anvil flung it down, white hot:     A glowing thing, of selfishness and fire,     With blow on blow, I made the anvil ring;     (Ere Thou cam'st questioning).     'The hammer, Self-Control, beat hard on it;     (Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)     And with each blow, rose fiery sparks of pain;     I bear their scars, on body, soul, and brain.     Long, long I toiled; and yet, dear Lord, unfit,     And all unworthy, is the heart I bring,     To meet Thy questioning.'