*Pastor’s Note: A.B. Simpson was a very well respected Canadian preacher, theologian and author who lived from December 15, 1843 to October 29, 1919. My prayer is that you will be blessed and inspired by his poetry as much as I am.

SO DID NOT I

“So did not I because I feared the Lord;”
The secret of a life these words record;
A soul that dared with purpose firm and true,
To do God’s best whatever men might do.

So Paul, his glory found in sacrifice,
Choosing to preach the gospel without price;
So let me love, dear Lord, Thy precious Cross,
And for Thy glory count all else as loss.

How much it means to say “So did not I!”
How many things in mere negations lie!
This shuts Heaven’s gates, “Ye did not to Me;”
And what were not is half of Charity.

Where should the line of separation run?
What places should we seek? What places shun?
This watchword strikes a true and higher chord,
“So did not I because I feared the Lord.”

Is it consistent with the Law of Love?
Will it a blessing to my brother prove?
Will it my Father please and glorify?
If not, be this my stand, “So did not I.”

Just to say No, and steadfastly refuse
To yield or compromise, but calmly choose,
And doubtful things to shun and self deny,
And say, whate’er men do, “So did not I.”

This is to be one of earth’s Greathearts true,
And stand some day among the chosen few
Who’ll march beneath the arches of the sky,
And on their banners write, “So did not I.”

From Songs of the Spirit: Poetry by A. B. Simpson. Public Domain