---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Robinson, Ann
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 15
number: 7
published: 1912-05
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Ann Robinson, "The Holy Christian’s Task: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 15, no. 7 (May 1912): 577.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1507unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera1507unse
start_page: 577
end_page: 577
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1912-05)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1507unse
  publication_year: 1912
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1912, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# The Holy Christian’s Task: A Poem

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The Holy Christian's Task. At early morn I wake and say, What have I to do today? My faithful conscience makes me this reply — Christian ! thou hast a God to glorify ! To imitate a Savior's perfect way ; And, in the narrow path he trod, to stay ! Thou hast a soul to save, which cannot die ; And thou a body hast — to mortify : Graces — from pitying heaven to implore ; And sins — a countless number, to weep o'er : Thou hast a heaven to gain — a hell to shun — Eternity to meditate upon ! Time to redeem, alas, how vainly past, When every moment might have been thy last ! Thy neighbor, by examples to improve ; The world to fear, lest thou its vices love : A heart to keep with diligence and care, Lest any thought of evil harbor there : Devils to wrestle with — most powerful, too ; And many warring passions to subdue : And oh, perhaps, ere night shall veil the earth Thine eyes may close in the long sleep of death ! Thy disembodied soul ; in bliss or woe For this day's work may judgment undergo ! All this have I to do ; I trembling ask, Lord : Grant thy Spirit to perform the task ! Unless thy gracious aid assist the plan I cannot act nor think — so weak is man ! Thy Blessed Holy Spirit's influence send, Shed o'er my heart, and through the fight defend ! So shall I keep the faith, the prize obtain. And not perform my daily task in vain. Ann Robinson (Age 74), Bradford, Leeds Conference, England.