Chapter 136
That life is long which answers life's great end; The time that bears no fruit deserves no name; The man of wisdom is the man of years.
--Edward Young.
JUST ONE DAY
If I could live to G.o.d for just one day, One blessed day, from rosy dawn of light Till purple twilight deepened into night, A day of faith unfaltering, trust complete, Of love unfeigned and perfect charity, Of hope undimmed, of courage past dismay, Of heavenly peace, patient humility-- No hint of duty to constrain my feet, No dream of ease to lull to listlessness, Within my heart no root of bitterness, No yielding to temptation's subtle sway, Methinks, in that one day would so expand My soul to meet such holy, high demand That never, never more could hold me bound This shriveling husk of self that wraps me round.
So might I henceforth live to G.o.d alway.
--Susan E. Gammons.
NOW
Forget the past and live the present hour; Now is the time to work, the time to fill The soul with n.o.blest thoughts, the time to will Heroic deeds, to use whatever dower Heaven has bestowed, to test our utmost power.
Now is the time to live, and, better still, To serve our loved ones; over pa.s.sing ill To rise triumphant; thus the perfect flower Of life shall come to fruitage; wealth ama.s.s For grandest giving ere the time be gone.
Be glad to-day--to-morrow may bring tears; Be brave to-day; the darkest night will pa.s.s And golden days will usher in the dawn; Who conquers now shall rule the coming years.
--Sarah Knowles Bolton.
THE HOURS
The hours are viewless angels, That still go gliding by, And bear each minute's record up To him who sits on high; And we who walk among them, As one by one departs, See not that they are hovering Forever round our hearts.
Like summer bees that hover Around the idle flowers, They gather every act and thought, Those viewless angel-hours; The poison or the nectar The heart's deep flower cups yield, A sample still they gather swift, And leave us in the field.
And some flit by on pinions Of joyous gold and blue, And some flag on with drooping wing Of sorrow's darker hue; But still they steal the record And bear it far away; Their mission-flight, by day and night, No magic power can stay.
And as we spend each minute That G.o.d to us has given, The deeds are known before his throne, The tale is told in heaven.
Those bee-like hours we see not, Nor hear their noiseless wings; We often feel--too oft--when flown That they
So teach me, heavenly Father, To meet each flying hour, That as they go they may not show My heart a poison flower!
So, when death brings its shadows, The hours that linger last Shall bear my hopes on angels' wings, Unfettered by the past.
--Christopher Pea.r.s.e Cranch.
TO-DAY
The hours of rest are over, The hours of toil begin; The stars above have faded, The moon has ceased to s.h.i.+ne.
The earth puts on her beauty Beneath the sun's red ray; And I must rise to labor.
What is my work to-day?
To search for truth and wisdom, To live for Christ alone, To run my race unburdened, The goal my Father's throne; To view by faith the promise, While earthly hopes decay; To serve the Lord with gladness-- This is my work to-day.
To shun the world's allurements, To bear my cross therein, To turn from all temptation, To conquer every sin; To linger, calm and patient, Where duty bids me stay, To go where G.o.d may lead me-- This is my work to-day.
To keep my troth unshaken, Though others may deceive; To give with willing pleasure, Or still with joy receive; To bring the mourner comfort, To wipe sad tears away; To help the timid doubter-- This is my work to-day.
To bear another's weakness, To soothe another's pain; To cheer the heart repentant, And to forgive again; To commune with the thoughtful, To guide the young and gay; To profit all in season-- This is my work to-day.
I think not of to-morrow, Its trial or its task; But still, with childlike spirit, For present mercies ask.
With each returning morning I cast old things away; Life's journey lies before me; My prayer is for TO-DAY.
LIFE'S MIRROR
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave, There are souls that are pure and true; Then give to the world the best you have.
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow, And strength in your inmost needs; Have faith, and a score of hearts will show Their faith in your work and deeds.
Give truth, and your gifts will be paid in kind, And song a song will meet; And the smile which is sweet will surely find A smile that is just as sweet.
Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn; You will gather in flowers again The scattered seeds from your thought outborne, Though the sowing seemed in vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave, 'Tis just what we are and do; Then give to the world the best you have And the best will come back to you.
--Madeline S. Bridges.
WHEN I HAVE TIME
When I have time so many things I'll do To make life happier and more fair For those whose lives are crowded now with care; I'll help to lift them from their low despair When I have time.
When I have time the friend I love so well Shall know no more these weary, toiling days; I'll lead her feet in pleasant paths always And cheer her heart with words of sweetest praise, When I have time.
When you have time! The friend you hold so dear May be beyond the reach of all your sweet intent; May never know that you so kindly meant To fill her life with sweet content When you had time.
Now is the time! Ah, friend, no longer wait To scatter loving smiles and words of cheer To those around whose lives are now so drear; They may not need you in the coming year-- Now is the time!
SOME RULES OF LIFE
_Have Faith in G.o.d_
What though the dark close round, the storm increase, Though friends depart, all earthly comforts cease; Hath He not said, I give my children peace?
Believe his word.
_Complain of Naught_
To murmur, fret, repine, lament, bemoan-- How sinful, stupid, wrong! G.o.d's on the throne, Does all in wisdom, ne'er forgets his own.
Be filled with praise.
_Watch Unto Prayer_
Think much of G.o.d, 'twill save thy soul from sin; Without his presence let no act begin; Look up, keep vigil, fear not; thou shalt win.
See him in all.