The Project Gutenberg eBook ofMercy Philbrick's ChoiceThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Mercy Philbrick's ChoiceAuthor: Helen Hunt JacksonRelease date: December 1, 2003 [eBook #10519]Most recently updated: October 28, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Distributed Proofreaders*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MERCY PHILBRICK'S CHOICE ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Mercy Philbrick's ChoiceAuthor: Helen Hunt JacksonRelease date: December 1, 2003 [eBook #10519]Most recently updated: October 28, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Distributed Proofreaders
Title: Mercy Philbrick's Choice
Author: Helen Hunt Jackson
Author: Helen Hunt Jackson
Release date: December 1, 2003 [eBook #10519]Most recently updated: October 28, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Distributed Proofreaders
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MERCY PHILBRICK'S CHOICE ***
I.To one who found us on a starless night,All helpless, groping in a dangerous way,Where countless treacherous hidden pitfalls lay,And, seeing all our peril, flashed a lightTo show to our bewildered, blinded sight,By one swift, clear, and piercing ray,The safe, sure path,--what words could reach the heightOf our great thankfulness? And yet, at most,The most he saved was this poor, paltry lifeOf flesh, which is so little worth its cost,Which eager sows, but may not stay to reap,And so soon breathless with the strain and strife,Its work half-done, exhausted, falls asleep.II.But unto him who finds men's souls astrayIn night that they know not is night at all,Walking, with reckless feet, where they may fallEach moment into deadlier deaths than slayThe flesh,--to him whose truth can rend awayFrom such lost souls their moral night's black pall,--Oh, unto him what words can hearts recallWhich their deep gratitude finds fit to say?No words but these,--and these to him are best:--That, henceforth, like a quenchless vestal flame,His words of truth shall burn on Truth's pure shrine;His memory be truth worshipped and confessed;Our gratitude and love, the priestess line,Who serve before Truth's altar, in his name.
To one who found us on a starless night,All helpless, groping in a dangerous way,Where countless treacherous hidden pitfalls lay,And, seeing all our peril, flashed a lightTo show to our bewildered, blinded sight,By one swift, clear, and piercing ray,The safe, sure path,--what words could reach the heightOf our great thankfulness? And yet, at most,The most he saved was this poor, paltry lifeOf flesh, which is so little worth its cost,Which eager sows, but may not stay to reap,And so soon breathless with the strain and strife,Its work half-done, exhausted, falls asleep.
But unto him who finds men's souls astrayIn night that they know not is night at all,Walking, with reckless feet, where they may fallEach moment into deadlier deaths than slayThe flesh,--to him whose truth can rend awayFrom such lost souls their moral night's black pall,--Oh, unto him what words can hearts recallWhich their deep gratitude finds fit to say?No words but these,--and these to him are best:--That, henceforth, like a quenchless vestal flame,His words of truth shall burn on Truth's pure shrine;His memory be truth worshipped and confessed;Our gratitude and love, the priestess line,Who serve before Truth's altar, in his name.