Do the Next Thing
From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message for me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration: DO THE NEXT THING.
Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus. DO THE NEXT THING.
Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command,
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING.
Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
(Working or suffering) be thy demeanor.
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm.
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!
Then, as He beckons thee, DO THE NEXT THING.
(source unknown)
One of my favorite poems! I refer to it often.
Me too, Rachel!
Dear Miz Connell,
The five stanza poem “Doe ye Nexte Thynge” was written by English author, editor and hymnist Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836-1897), appearing in her collection Stillness and Service (London: Seeley, Jackson & Halliday, circa 1875, 47 pages), a book which is unavailable to me.
The text which I used is from The Sunday School Hive and Juvenile Companion, its Volume XXX, page 167 (London: T. Newton, 119, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, E.C., 1878), a periodical which Miss Elliott edited for six years.
When she republished her poem in 1880, in At the Beautiful Gate, and Other Religious Poetry, her first line was “From an old English parsonage”, (my 1878 source omits “English”, the original is unavailable to me.
Note: The third stanza, omitted, is:
Oh, He would have thee, daily more free,
Knowing the might of thy royal degree;
Ever in waiting, glad for His call,
Tranquil in chastening, trusting through all.
Comings and goings no turmoil need bring;
His all thy future— “Doe the nexte thynge.”
May God Bless You and Yours,
Robert >
Wonderful, thank you! I’m happy to read the omitted verse as well. I truly LOVE old hymns and poetry like this that shows the depth and richness good theology can bring to our faith.
Thank you for sharing!
Jess
Thank you for your research, Robert!
I just quoted part of this poem recently in one of my posts. It’s such a great reminder to me to keep pressing on, even and especially when life gets overwhelming.