Have I done my best?

A fearful storm is raging,
And on the wave-lashed shore,
A group of watchers,
Stand listening to its roar.
Unmindful of the danger,
And heeding not the spray,
Which dashes thick about them,
They watch 'til close of day.
For yonder is a vessel,
Now struggling with the waves,
And in it many people,
Are nearing fast their graves.
But no one at their bravest
Will dare to stem the tide,
And so they stand in silence,
Youth and age side by side.
Oh! Cannot someone save them,
Each heart in anguish cries.
As the dread danger signal
Seems even to pierce the skies.
But, Hark! 'tis rapid footsteps,
Approaching from the land,
And now a youth is standing,
Upon the treacherous sand.
He looks out o'er the waters,
And sees the peril there,
And knows if he would save them,
There is no time to spare.
So while they stand in silence,
Upon the stormy beach,
One man alone is striving,
Another soul to reach.
An awful hush creeps o'er them,
And in presence now of death,
And with eager straining eyes,
They wait with baited breath.
But, Look! He's now returning,
Another at his side.
Oh God of strength, have mercy!
And do them safely guide.
And now they're nearer and nearer,
When lo, a mighty wave
Sweeps o'er them, and hides them,
Oh, will it be their graves?
Then strong men wept aloud,
And women rung their hands,
When lo, with one save still alive,
Our hero gains the sands.
A loud and joyous shout went up,
From the people standing there,
And the lips of many a woman moved,
As if in silent prayer.
Each one is busy working,
A fire must kindled be,
To dry the dripping garments,
Of those safe from the sea.
He turns his eyes to sea-ward,
The ship is sinking fast,
He sees a quivering figure
Still clinging to the mast.
More strength is given to him,
He breaks away from friends,
Give me one more, O Father,
This prayer to heaven he sends.
This prayer indeed was answered,
He once more gains the shore,
Though it was a fearful struggle,
And he was near death's door.
Though 18 souls he rescued,
That night, while others rest,
He cried in feverish anguish,
"Oh, have I done my best?"
Now friends, this Lord's day morning,
Ye children of the King,
Come, let us to our Savior
A rescued soul now bring.
And if we're half as zealous,
A precious soul to save,
As this young man that rescued,
Men from their watery graves,
Then the world will be taken,
For Christ before we rest,
And our dear Friend, even Jesus
Will say, "You did your best."

Author unknown

Ben Wilcox