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Only a Cog in a Wheel

A man there was of unusual gifts

Bearing an honored name,

Life came to him with outstretched hands

Proffering wealth and fame;

But he carelessly turned his head away,

The prize made little appeal,

Contenting himself with a minor part,

He was only a cog in a wheel.

When opportunity knocked at his door,

It found him asleep and deaf;

Long and patiently it waited there,

But he did not come to himself.

His golden chances were wasted like chaff,

He took no account of the real;

Each day a monotonous grind to him,

He was only a cog in a wheel.

In the image of God this man was made,

With power to do and to serve;

Strong of mind and body was he,

But he lacked essential nerve.

So he drifted along from day to day,

Without ambition or zeal,

Playing a dull and nondescript part,

He was only a cog in a wheel.

What place do you fill in life’s great machine—

Are you using your gifts aright?

Today have you wrought some truly fine thing—

Can you claim to have fought a good fight?

Will it surely be said that you “played the game”—

That your life was productive and real?

Or will the world say, as it goes on its way,

He was only a cog in a wheel ?

-ANONYMOUS

Many versions as to the true description of Christ have been given to the world. Among the most authentic is this one, written by Publius Lentulus, President of Judea, to Tiberius Caesar, and first appeared in the writings of Saint Anselm of Canterbury in the Eleventh Century.

“There lived at this time in Judea a man of singular virtue—whose name is Jesus Christ whom the barbarians esteem as a prophet, but his followers love and adore him as the offspring of the immortal God. He calls back the dead from the graves and heals all sorts of diseases with a word or touch. He is a tall man, well shaped, and of an amiable and reverend aspect—his hair of a color that can hardly be matched, falling into graceful curls, waving about and very agreeably couched about his shoulders, parted on the crown of his head, running as a stream to the front after the fashion of the Nazarites; his forehead high, large and imposing; his cheeks without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely red; his nose and mouth formed with exquisite symmetry; his beard of a color suitable to his hair, reaching below his chin and parted in the middle like a fork; his eyes bright and blue, clear and serene, look innocent, dignified, manly and mature. Often times however, just before he reveals his divine powers, his eyelids are gently closed in reverential silence. In proportion of body most perfect and captivating; his arms and hands are delectable to behold. He rebukes with majesty, counsels with mildness, his whole address, whether in word or deed, being eloquent and grave. No man has seen him laugh, yet his manners are exceedingly pleasant, but he has wept frequently in the presence of men. He is temperate, modest and wise. A man for his extraordinary beauty and divine perfection, surpassing the children of men in every sense.”