Sonnet Xix. Living Near To Christ Poem by Thomas Cogswell Upham

When the bright sun is nearest to the earth,
In vernal months and days of summer bloom,
The buds and flowers and bending fruits have birth,
Instinct with life and beauty and perfume.
And so the man, who near the Savior lives,
Finds his heart kindling 'neath that radiant face;
The cheering light and heat the Savior gives,
And renovates and blesses with his grace.
But if the Christian keeps himself away,
And follows Christ, as Peter did, far off,
But seldom meditates, nor loves to pray,
Or meets, on doubtful ground, with those who scoff,
His heart grows cold, no genial ray shall bless,
'Twill be Siberian waste, mere ice and barrenness.