When filled to overflowing,
Full vessels always bear
Much knocking, little showing
A trace of constant wear.

Though blow on blow receiving,
Full vessels scarcely sound;
Do I, on Christ believing,
In murmuring noise abound?

When grace is low and waning,
When self-importance reigns,
Loud cries and much complaining
Is all that then remains.

The soul that Christ is filling,
Will bear full many a blow,
In patient grace unwilling
Resentment quick to show.

E. H. Hageman