Think gently of the erring!
   Ye know not of the power
With which the dark temptation came
   In some unguarded hour.
We may not know how earnestly
   They struggled, or how well
Until the hour of weakness came
   And sadly thus they fell.

Think gently of the Erring!
   O! do not thou forget
However darkly stained by sin
   He is thy brother yet.
Then to the self same heritage!
   Child of the self same God!
He hath but stumbled in the path
   Thou hast in weakness trod.

Speak gently to the Erring!
   For is it not enough
That innocence and peace are gone
   Without the censure rough?
It sure must be a weary lot.
   That sin-crushed heart to bear -
And they who share a happier lot.
   Their chiding well may spare.