Whether we climb, whether we plod,Space for one task the scant years lend,To choose some path that leads to God,And keep it to the end.—Lizette Woodworth Reese.
Whether we climb, whether we plod,Space for one task the scant years lend,To choose some path that leads to God,And keep it to the end.
Whether we climb, whether we plod,
Space for one task the scant years lend,
To choose some path that leads to God,
And keep it to the end.
—Lizette Woodworth Reese.
—Lizette Woodworth Reese.
———
Bravely to do whate'er the time demands,Whether with pen or sword, and not to flinch,This is the task that fits heroic hands;So are Truth's boundaries widened, inch by inch.—James Russell Lowell.
Bravely to do whate'er the time demands,Whether with pen or sword, and not to flinch,This is the task that fits heroic hands;So are Truth's boundaries widened, inch by inch.
Bravely to do whate'er the time demands,
Whether with pen or sword, and not to flinch,
This is the task that fits heroic hands;
So are Truth's boundaries widened, inch by inch.
—James Russell Lowell.
—James Russell Lowell.
Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands,Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,And fiery hearts and armed handsEncountered in the battle cloud.Ah! never shall the land forgetHow gushed the life-blood of her brave—Gushed, warm with life and courage yet,Upon the soil they fought to save.Now all is calm and fresh and still,Alone the chirp of flitting bird,And talks of children on the hill,And bell of wandering kine are heard.No solemn host goes trailing byThe black-mouthed gun and staggering wain;Men start not at the battle-cry;Oh, be it never heard again!Soon rested those who fought; but thouWho minglest in the harder strifeFor truths which men receive not now,Thy warfare only ends with life.A friendless warfare! lingering longThrough weary day and weary year;A wild and many-weaponed throngHang on thy front, and flank, and rear.Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof.And blench not at thy chosen lot;The timid good may stand aloof,The sage may frown—yet faint thou not.Nor heed the shaft too surely cast,The foul and hissing bolt of scorn;For with thy side shall dwell at lastThe victory of endurance born.Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;The eternal years of God are hers;But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,And dies among his worshipers.Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,When they who helped thee flee in fear,Die full of hope and manly trust,Like those who fell in battle here.Another hand thy sword shall wield,Another hand the standard wave,Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed,The blast of triumph o'er thy grave.—William CullenBryant
Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands,Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,And fiery hearts and armed handsEncountered in the battle cloud.
Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands,
Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,
And fiery hearts and armed hands
Encountered in the battle cloud.
Ah! never shall the land forgetHow gushed the life-blood of her brave—Gushed, warm with life and courage yet,Upon the soil they fought to save.
Ah! never shall the land forget
How gushed the life-blood of her brave—
Gushed, warm with life and courage yet,
Upon the soil they fought to save.
Now all is calm and fresh and still,Alone the chirp of flitting bird,And talks of children on the hill,And bell of wandering kine are heard.
Now all is calm and fresh and still,
Alone the chirp of flitting bird,
And talks of children on the hill,
And bell of wandering kine are heard.
No solemn host goes trailing byThe black-mouthed gun and staggering wain;Men start not at the battle-cry;Oh, be it never heard again!
No solemn host goes trailing by
The black-mouthed gun and staggering wain;
Men start not at the battle-cry;
Oh, be it never heard again!
Soon rested those who fought; but thouWho minglest in the harder strifeFor truths which men receive not now,Thy warfare only ends with life.
Soon rested those who fought; but thou
Who minglest in the harder strife
For truths which men receive not now,
Thy warfare only ends with life.
A friendless warfare! lingering longThrough weary day and weary year;A wild and many-weaponed throngHang on thy front, and flank, and rear.
A friendless warfare! lingering long
Through weary day and weary year;
A wild and many-weaponed throng
Hang on thy front, and flank, and rear.
Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof.And blench not at thy chosen lot;The timid good may stand aloof,The sage may frown—yet faint thou not.
Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof.
And blench not at thy chosen lot;
The timid good may stand aloof,
The sage may frown—yet faint thou not.
Nor heed the shaft too surely cast,The foul and hissing bolt of scorn;For with thy side shall dwell at lastThe victory of endurance born.
Nor heed the shaft too surely cast,
The foul and hissing bolt of scorn;
For with thy side shall dwell at last
The victory of endurance born.
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;The eternal years of God are hers;But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,And dies among his worshipers.
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his worshipers.
Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,When they who helped thee flee in fear,Die full of hope and manly trust,Like those who fell in battle here.
Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,
When they who helped thee flee in fear,
Die full of hope and manly trust,
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall wield,Another hand the standard wave,Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed,The blast of triumph o'er thy grave.
Another hand thy sword shall wield,
Another hand the standard wave,
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed,
The blast of triumph o'er thy grave.
—William CullenBryant
—William CullenBryant
———
Doubting Thomas and loving John,Behind the others walking on:"Tell me now, John, dare you beOne of the minority?To be lonely in your thought,Never visited nor sought,Shunned with secret shrug, to goThrough the world esteemed its foe;To be singled out and hissed,Pointed at as one unblessed,Warned against in whispers faint,Lest the children catch a taint;To bear off your titles well,—Heretic and infidel?If you dare, come now with me,Fearless, confident and free.""Thomas, do you dare to beOf the great majority?To be only, as the rest,With Heaven's common comforts blessed;To accept, in humble part,Truth that shines on every heart;Never to be set on high,Where the envious curses fly;Never name or fame to find,Still outstripped in soul and mind;To be hid, unless to God,As one grass-blade in the sod;Underfoot with millions trod?If you dare, come with us, beLost in love's great unity."—Edward Rowland Sill.
Doubting Thomas and loving John,Behind the others walking on:
Doubting Thomas and loving John,
Behind the others walking on:
"Tell me now, John, dare you beOne of the minority?To be lonely in your thought,Never visited nor sought,Shunned with secret shrug, to goThrough the world esteemed its foe;To be singled out and hissed,Pointed at as one unblessed,Warned against in whispers faint,Lest the children catch a taint;To bear off your titles well,—Heretic and infidel?If you dare, come now with me,Fearless, confident and free."
"Tell me now, John, dare you be
One of the minority?
To be lonely in your thought,
Never visited nor sought,
Shunned with secret shrug, to go
Through the world esteemed its foe;
To be singled out and hissed,
Pointed at as one unblessed,
Warned against in whispers faint,
Lest the children catch a taint;
To bear off your titles well,—
Heretic and infidel?
If you dare, come now with me,
Fearless, confident and free."
"Thomas, do you dare to beOf the great majority?To be only, as the rest,With Heaven's common comforts blessed;To accept, in humble part,Truth that shines on every heart;Never to be set on high,Where the envious curses fly;Never name or fame to find,Still outstripped in soul and mind;To be hid, unless to God,As one grass-blade in the sod;Underfoot with millions trod?If you dare, come with us, beLost in love's great unity."
"Thomas, do you dare to be
Of the great majority?
To be only, as the rest,
With Heaven's common comforts blessed;
To accept, in humble part,
Truth that shines on every heart;
Never to be set on high,
Where the envious curses fly;
Never name or fame to find,
Still outstripped in soul and mind;
To be hid, unless to God,
As one grass-blade in the sod;
Underfoot with millions trod?
If you dare, come with us, be
Lost in love's great unity."
—Edward Rowland Sill.
—Edward Rowland Sill.
———
Time was I shrank from what was right,From fear of what was wrong;I would not brave the sacred fightBecause the foe was strong.But now I cast that finer senseAnd sorer shame aside;Such dread of sin was indolence,Such aim at heaven was pride.So when my Saviour calls I rise,And calmly do my best;Leaving to Him, with silent eyesOf hope and fear, the rest.I step, I mount, where He has led;Men count my haltings o'er;I know them; yet, though self I dread,I love His precept more.—John Henry Newman.
Time was I shrank from what was right,From fear of what was wrong;I would not brave the sacred fightBecause the foe was strong.
Time was I shrank from what was right,
From fear of what was wrong;
I would not brave the sacred fight
Because the foe was strong.
But now I cast that finer senseAnd sorer shame aside;Such dread of sin was indolence,Such aim at heaven was pride.
But now I cast that finer sense
And sorer shame aside;
Such dread of sin was indolence,
Such aim at heaven was pride.
So when my Saviour calls I rise,And calmly do my best;Leaving to Him, with silent eyesOf hope and fear, the rest.
So when my Saviour calls I rise,
And calmly do my best;
Leaving to Him, with silent eyes
Of hope and fear, the rest.
I step, I mount, where He has led;Men count my haltings o'er;I know them; yet, though self I dread,I love His precept more.
I step, I mount, where He has led;
Men count my haltings o'er;
I know them; yet, though self I dread,
I love His precept more.
—John Henry Newman.
—John Henry Newman.
———
Because I hold it sinful to despond,And will not let the bitterness of lifeBlind me with burning tears, but look beyondIts tumult and its strife;Because I lift my head above the mist,Where the sun shines and the broad breezes blow,By every ray and every raindrop kissedThat God's love doth bestow;Think you I find no bitterness at all?No burden to be borne, like Christian's pack?Think you there are no ready tears to fallBecause I keep them back?Why should I hug life's ills with cold reserve,To curse myself and all who love me? Nay!A thousand times more good than I deserveGod gives me every day.And in each one of these rebellious tearsKept bravely back He makes a rainbow shine;Gratefully I take His slightest gift, no fearsNor any doubts are mine.Dark skies must clear, and when the clouds are pastOne golden day redeems a weary year;Patient I listen, sure that sweet at lastWill sound his voice of cheer.Then vex me not with chiding. Let me be.I must be glad and grateful to the end.I grudge you not your cold and darkness,—meThe powers of light befriend.—Celia Thaxter.
Because I hold it sinful to despond,And will not let the bitterness of lifeBlind me with burning tears, but look beyondIts tumult and its strife;
Because I hold it sinful to despond,
And will not let the bitterness of life
Blind me with burning tears, but look beyond
Its tumult and its strife;
Because I lift my head above the mist,Where the sun shines and the broad breezes blow,By every ray and every raindrop kissedThat God's love doth bestow;
Because I lift my head above the mist,
Where the sun shines and the broad breezes blow,
By every ray and every raindrop kissed
That God's love doth bestow;
Think you I find no bitterness at all?No burden to be borne, like Christian's pack?Think you there are no ready tears to fallBecause I keep them back?
Think you I find no bitterness at all?
No burden to be borne, like Christian's pack?
Think you there are no ready tears to fall
Because I keep them back?
Why should I hug life's ills with cold reserve,To curse myself and all who love me? Nay!A thousand times more good than I deserveGod gives me every day.
Why should I hug life's ills with cold reserve,
To curse myself and all who love me? Nay!
A thousand times more good than I deserve
God gives me every day.
And in each one of these rebellious tearsKept bravely back He makes a rainbow shine;Gratefully I take His slightest gift, no fearsNor any doubts are mine.
And in each one of these rebellious tears
Kept bravely back He makes a rainbow shine;
Gratefully I take His slightest gift, no fears
Nor any doubts are mine.
Dark skies must clear, and when the clouds are pastOne golden day redeems a weary year;Patient I listen, sure that sweet at lastWill sound his voice of cheer.
Dark skies must clear, and when the clouds are past
One golden day redeems a weary year;
Patient I listen, sure that sweet at last
Will sound his voice of cheer.
Then vex me not with chiding. Let me be.I must be glad and grateful to the end.I grudge you not your cold and darkness,—meThe powers of light befriend.
Then vex me not with chiding. Let me be.
I must be glad and grateful to the end.
I grudge you not your cold and darkness,—me
The powers of light befriend.
—Celia Thaxter.
—Celia Thaxter.
———
Dare to think, though others frown;Dare in words your thoughts express;Dare to rise, though oft cast down;Dare the wronged and scorned to bless.Dare from custom to depart;Dare the priceless pearl possess;Dare to wear it next your heart;Dare, when others curse, to bless.Dare forsake what you deem wrong;Dare to walk in wisdom's way,Dare to give where gifts belong,Dare God's precepts to obey.Do what conscience says is right,Do what reason says is best,Do with all your mind and might;Do your duty and be blest.
Dare to think, though others frown;Dare in words your thoughts express;Dare to rise, though oft cast down;Dare the wronged and scorned to bless.
Dare to think, though others frown;
Dare in words your thoughts express;
Dare to rise, though oft cast down;
Dare the wronged and scorned to bless.
Dare from custom to depart;Dare the priceless pearl possess;Dare to wear it next your heart;Dare, when others curse, to bless.
Dare from custom to depart;
Dare the priceless pearl possess;
Dare to wear it next your heart;
Dare, when others curse, to bless.
Dare forsake what you deem wrong;Dare to walk in wisdom's way,Dare to give where gifts belong,Dare God's precepts to obey.
Dare forsake what you deem wrong;
Dare to walk in wisdom's way,
Dare to give where gifts belong,
Dare God's precepts to obey.
Do what conscience says is right,Do what reason says is best,Do with all your mind and might;Do your duty and be blest.
Do what conscience says is right,
Do what reason says is best,
Do with all your mind and might;
Do your duty and be blest.
———
O tired worker, faltering on life's rugged way,With faithful hands so full they may not rest,Forget not that the weak of earth have one sure stay,And humblest ones by God himself are blest,Who work for Him!Then courage take, faint heart! and though the path be longGod's simple rule thy steps will safely guide:—"Love Him, thy neighbor as thyself, and do no wrong";In calm content they all shall surely bideWho walk with Him!So banish every fear, each daily task take up,God's grace thy failing strength shall build anew;His mercy, in thy sorrows, stay the flowing cup:And His great love keep for thy spirit trueA place with him!—J. D. Seabury.
O tired worker, faltering on life's rugged way,With faithful hands so full they may not rest,Forget not that the weak of earth have one sure stay,And humblest ones by God himself are blest,Who work for Him!
O tired worker, faltering on life's rugged way,
With faithful hands so full they may not rest,
Forget not that the weak of earth have one sure stay,
And humblest ones by God himself are blest,
Who work for Him!
Then courage take, faint heart! and though the path be longGod's simple rule thy steps will safely guide:—"Love Him, thy neighbor as thyself, and do no wrong";In calm content they all shall surely bideWho walk with Him!
Then courage take, faint heart! and though the path be long
God's simple rule thy steps will safely guide:—
"Love Him, thy neighbor as thyself, and do no wrong";
In calm content they all shall surely bide
Who walk with Him!
So banish every fear, each daily task take up,God's grace thy failing strength shall build anew;His mercy, in thy sorrows, stay the flowing cup:And His great love keep for thy spirit trueA place with him!
So banish every fear, each daily task take up,
God's grace thy failing strength shall build anew;
His mercy, in thy sorrows, stay the flowing cup:
And His great love keep for thy spirit true
A place with him!
—J. D. Seabury.
—J. D. Seabury.
———
A mighty fortress is our God,A bulwark never failing:Our Helper, he, amid the floodOf mortal ills prevailing.For still our ancient foeDoth seek to work us woe;His craft and power are great,And, armed with cruel hate,On earth is not his equal.Did we in our own strength confide,Our striving would be losing;Were not the right man on our side,The man of God's own choosing.Dost ask who that may be?Christ Jesus, it is he;Lord Sabaoth is his name,From age to age the same,And he must win the battle.And though this world, with devils filled,Should threaten to undo us;We will not fear, for God hath willedHis truth to triumph through us.The Prince of darkness grim—We tremble not for him;His rage we can endure,For lo! his doom is sure,One little word shall fell him.That word above all earthly powers—No thanks to them—abideth;The Spirit and the gifts are oursThrough him who with us sideth.Let goods and kindred go,This mortal life also;The body they may kill:God's truth abideth still,His kingdom is forever.—Martin Luther, tr. by Frederick H. Hedge.
A mighty fortress is our God,A bulwark never failing:Our Helper, he, amid the floodOf mortal ills prevailing.For still our ancient foeDoth seek to work us woe;His craft and power are great,And, armed with cruel hate,On earth is not his equal.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing:
Our Helper, he, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,Our striving would be losing;Were not the right man on our side,The man of God's own choosing.Dost ask who that may be?Christ Jesus, it is he;Lord Sabaoth is his name,From age to age the same,And he must win the battle.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth is his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,Should threaten to undo us;We will not fear, for God hath willedHis truth to triumph through us.The Prince of darkness grim—We tremble not for him;His rage we can endure,For lo! his doom is sure,One little word shall fell him.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of darkness grim—
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers—No thanks to them—abideth;The Spirit and the gifts are oursThrough him who with us sideth.Let goods and kindred go,This mortal life also;The body they may kill:God's truth abideth still,His kingdom is forever.
That word above all earthly powers—
No thanks to them—abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
—Martin Luther, tr. by Frederick H. Hedge.
—Martin Luther, tr. by Frederick H. Hedge.
———
Be strong to hope, O heart!Though day is bright,The stars can only shineIn the dark night.Be strong, O heart of mine,Look toward the light.Be strong to bear, O heart!Nothing is vain:Strive not, for life is care,And God sends pain.Heaven is above, and thereRest will remain.Be strong to love, O heart!Love knows not wrong;Didst thou love creatures even,Life were not long;Didst thou love God in heavenThou wouldst be strong.
Be strong to hope, O heart!Though day is bright,The stars can only shineIn the dark night.Be strong, O heart of mine,Look toward the light.
Be strong to hope, O heart!
Though day is bright,
The stars can only shine
In the dark night.
Be strong, O heart of mine,
Look toward the light.
Be strong to bear, O heart!Nothing is vain:Strive not, for life is care,And God sends pain.Heaven is above, and thereRest will remain.
Be strong to bear, O heart!
Nothing is vain:
Strive not, for life is care,
And God sends pain.
Heaven is above, and there
Rest will remain.
Be strong to love, O heart!Love knows not wrong;Didst thou love creatures even,Life were not long;Didst thou love God in heavenThou wouldst be strong.
Be strong to love, O heart!
Love knows not wrong;
Didst thou love creatures even,
Life were not long;
Didst thou love God in heaven
Thou wouldst be strong.
———
Why comes temptation but for man to meetAnd master and make crouch beneath his foot,And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray,"Lead us into no such temptation, Lord!"Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold,Lead such temptations by the head and hair,Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight,That so he may do battle and have praise.—Robert Browning.
Why comes temptation but for man to meetAnd master and make crouch beneath his foot,And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray,"Lead us into no such temptation, Lord!"Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold,Lead such temptations by the head and hair,Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight,That so he may do battle and have praise.
Why comes temptation but for man to meet
And master and make crouch beneath his foot,
And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray,
"Lead us into no such temptation, Lord!"
Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold,
Lead such temptations by the head and hair,
Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight,
That so he may do battle and have praise.
—Robert Browning.
—Robert Browning.
———
Speak thou the truth. Let others fence,And trim their words for pay:In pleasant sunshine of pretenseLet others bask their day.Guard thou the fact; though clouds of nightDown on thy watch tower stoop:Though thou shouldst see thine heart's delightBorne from thee by their swoop.Face thou the wind. Though safer seemIn shelter to abide:We were not made to sit and dream:The safe must first be tried.Where God hath set His thorns about,Cry not, "The way is plain":His path within for those withoutIs paved with toil and pain.One fragment of His blessed Word,Into thy spirit burned,Is better than the whole half-heardAnd by thine interest turned.Show thou thy light. If conscience gleam,Set not thy bushel down;The smallest spark may send his beamO'er hamlet, tower, and town.Woe, woe to him, on safety bent,Who creeps to age from youth,Failing to grasp his life's intentBecause he fears the truth.Be true to every inmost thought,And as thy thought, thy speech:What thou hast not by suffering bought,Presume thou not to teach.Hold on, hold on—thou hast the rock,The foes are on the sand:The first world tempest's ruthless shockScatters their drifting strand:While each wild gust the mist shall clearWe now see darkly through,And justified at last appearThe true, in Him that's True.—Henry Alford.
Speak thou the truth. Let others fence,And trim their words for pay:In pleasant sunshine of pretenseLet others bask their day.
Speak thou the truth. Let others fence,
And trim their words for pay:
In pleasant sunshine of pretense
Let others bask their day.
Guard thou the fact; though clouds of nightDown on thy watch tower stoop:Though thou shouldst see thine heart's delightBorne from thee by their swoop.
Guard thou the fact; though clouds of night
Down on thy watch tower stoop:
Though thou shouldst see thine heart's delight
Borne from thee by their swoop.
Face thou the wind. Though safer seemIn shelter to abide:We were not made to sit and dream:The safe must first be tried.
Face thou the wind. Though safer seem
In shelter to abide:
We were not made to sit and dream:
The safe must first be tried.
Where God hath set His thorns about,Cry not, "The way is plain":His path within for those withoutIs paved with toil and pain.
Where God hath set His thorns about,
Cry not, "The way is plain":
His path within for those without
Is paved with toil and pain.
One fragment of His blessed Word,Into thy spirit burned,Is better than the whole half-heardAnd by thine interest turned.
One fragment of His blessed Word,
Into thy spirit burned,
Is better than the whole half-heard
And by thine interest turned.
Show thou thy light. If conscience gleam,Set not thy bushel down;The smallest spark may send his beamO'er hamlet, tower, and town.
Show thou thy light. If conscience gleam,
Set not thy bushel down;
The smallest spark may send his beam
O'er hamlet, tower, and town.
Woe, woe to him, on safety bent,Who creeps to age from youth,Failing to grasp his life's intentBecause he fears the truth.
Woe, woe to him, on safety bent,
Who creeps to age from youth,
Failing to grasp his life's intent
Because he fears the truth.
Be true to every inmost thought,And as thy thought, thy speech:What thou hast not by suffering bought,Presume thou not to teach.
Be true to every inmost thought,
And as thy thought, thy speech:
What thou hast not by suffering bought,
Presume thou not to teach.
Hold on, hold on—thou hast the rock,The foes are on the sand:The first world tempest's ruthless shockScatters their drifting strand:
Hold on, hold on—thou hast the rock,
The foes are on the sand:
The first world tempest's ruthless shock
Scatters their drifting strand:
While each wild gust the mist shall clearWe now see darkly through,And justified at last appearThe true, in Him that's True.
While each wild gust the mist shall clear
We now see darkly through,
And justified at last appear
The true, in Him that's True.
—Henry Alford.
—Henry Alford.
———
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,For that were stupid and irrational;But he whose noble soul its fear subdues,And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.As for your youth whom blood and blows delight,Away with them! there is not in their crewOne valiant spirit.—Joanna Baillie.
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,For that were stupid and irrational;But he whose noble soul its fear subdues,And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.As for your youth whom blood and blows delight,Away with them! there is not in their crewOne valiant spirit.
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he whose noble soul its fear subdues,
And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.
As for your youth whom blood and blows delight,
Away with them! there is not in their crew
One valiant spirit.
—Joanna Baillie.
—Joanna Baillie.
———
Thy life's a warfare, thou a soldier art;Satan's thy foeman, and a faithful heartThy two-edged weapon; patience is thy shield,Heaven is thy chieftain, and the world thy field.To be afraid to die, or wish for death,Are words and passions of despairing breath.Who doth the first the day doth faintly yield;And who the second basely flies the field.—Francis Quarles.
Thy life's a warfare, thou a soldier art;Satan's thy foeman, and a faithful heartThy two-edged weapon; patience is thy shield,Heaven is thy chieftain, and the world thy field.To be afraid to die, or wish for death,Are words and passions of despairing breath.Who doth the first the day doth faintly yield;And who the second basely flies the field.
Thy life's a warfare, thou a soldier art;
Satan's thy foeman, and a faithful heart
Thy two-edged weapon; patience is thy shield,
Heaven is thy chieftain, and the world thy field.
To be afraid to die, or wish for death,
Are words and passions of despairing breath.
Who doth the first the day doth faintly yield;
And who the second basely flies the field.
—Francis Quarles.
—Francis Quarles.
———
When falls the hour of evil chance—And hours of evil chance will fall—Strike, though with but a broken lance!Strike, though you have no lance at all!Shrink not, however great the odds;Shrink not, however dark the hour—The barest possibility of goodDemands your utmost power.
When falls the hour of evil chance—And hours of evil chance will fall—Strike, though with but a broken lance!Strike, though you have no lance at all!
When falls the hour of evil chance—
And hours of evil chance will fall—
Strike, though with but a broken lance!
Strike, though you have no lance at all!
Shrink not, however great the odds;Shrink not, however dark the hour—The barest possibility of goodDemands your utmost power.
Shrink not, however great the odds;
Shrink not, however dark the hour—
The barest possibility of good
Demands your utmost power.
———
They are slaves who fear to speakFor the fallen and the weak;They are slaves who will not chooseHatred, scoffing and abuse,Rather than in silence shrinkFrom the truth they needs must think;They are slaves who dare not beIn the right with two or three.—James Russell Lowell.
They are slaves who fear to speakFor the fallen and the weak;They are slaves who will not chooseHatred, scoffing and abuse,Rather than in silence shrinkFrom the truth they needs must think;They are slaves who dare not beIn the right with two or three.
They are slaves who fear to speak
For the fallen and the weak;
They are slaves who will not choose
Hatred, scoffing and abuse,
Rather than in silence shrink
From the truth they needs must think;
They are slaves who dare not be
In the right with two or three.
—James Russell Lowell.
—James Russell Lowell.
———
Courage, brother, do not stumble,Though thy path be dark as night;There's a star to guide the humble—Trust in God and do the right.Though the road be long and dreary,And the end be out of sight;Foot it bravely, strong or weary—Trust in God and do the right.Perish "policy" and cunning,Perish all that fears the light;Whether losing, whether winning,Trust in God and do the right.Shun all forms of guilty passion,Fiends can look like angels bright;Heed no custom, school, or fashion—Trust in God and do the right.Some will hate thee, some will love thee,Some will flatter, some will slight;Cease from man and look above thee,Trust in God and do the right.Simple rule and safest guiding—Inward peace and shining light—Star upon our path abiding—Trust in God and do the Right.—Norman Macleod.
Courage, brother, do not stumble,Though thy path be dark as night;There's a star to guide the humble—Trust in God and do the right.Though the road be long and dreary,And the end be out of sight;Foot it bravely, strong or weary—Trust in God and do the right.
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble—
Trust in God and do the right.
Though the road be long and dreary,
And the end be out of sight;
Foot it bravely, strong or weary—
Trust in God and do the right.
Perish "policy" and cunning,Perish all that fears the light;Whether losing, whether winning,Trust in God and do the right.Shun all forms of guilty passion,Fiends can look like angels bright;Heed no custom, school, or fashion—Trust in God and do the right.
Perish "policy" and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light;
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right.
Shun all forms of guilty passion,
Fiends can look like angels bright;
Heed no custom, school, or fashion—
Trust in God and do the right.
Some will hate thee, some will love thee,Some will flatter, some will slight;Cease from man and look above thee,Trust in God and do the right.Simple rule and safest guiding—Inward peace and shining light—Star upon our path abiding—Trust in God and do the Right.
Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man and look above thee,
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule and safest guiding—
Inward peace and shining light—
Star upon our path abiding—
Trust in God and do the Right.
—Norman Macleod.
—Norman Macleod.
———
We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.In an age on ages telling to be living is sublime.Hark! the waking up of nations; Gog and Magog to the fray.Hark! what soundeth? 'Tis creation groaning for its latter day.Will ye play, then, will ye dally, with your music and your wine?Up! it is Jehovah's rally; God's own arm hath need of thine;Hark! the onset! will ye fold your faith-clad arms in lazy lock?Up! O up, thou drowsy soldier! Worlds are charging to the shock.Worlds are charging—heaven beholding; thou hast but an hour to fight;Now the blazoned cross unfolding, on, right onward for the right!On! let all the soul within you for the truth's sake go abroad!Strike! let every nerve and sinew tell on ages; tell for God!—Arthur Cleveland Coxe.
We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.In an age on ages telling to be living is sublime.Hark! the waking up of nations; Gog and Magog to the fray.Hark! what soundeth? 'Tis creation groaning for its latter day.
We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.
In an age on ages telling to be living is sublime.
Hark! the waking up of nations; Gog and Magog to the fray.
Hark! what soundeth? 'Tis creation groaning for its latter day.
Will ye play, then, will ye dally, with your music and your wine?Up! it is Jehovah's rally; God's own arm hath need of thine;Hark! the onset! will ye fold your faith-clad arms in lazy lock?Up! O up, thou drowsy soldier! Worlds are charging to the shock.
Will ye play, then, will ye dally, with your music and your wine?
Up! it is Jehovah's rally; God's own arm hath need of thine;
Hark! the onset! will ye fold your faith-clad arms in lazy lock?
Up! O up, thou drowsy soldier! Worlds are charging to the shock.
Worlds are charging—heaven beholding; thou hast but an hour to fight;Now the blazoned cross unfolding, on, right onward for the right!On! let all the soul within you for the truth's sake go abroad!Strike! let every nerve and sinew tell on ages; tell for God!
Worlds are charging—heaven beholding; thou hast but an hour to fight;
Now the blazoned cross unfolding, on, right onward for the right!
On! let all the soul within you for the truth's sake go abroad!
Strike! let every nerve and sinew tell on ages; tell for God!
—Arthur Cleveland Coxe.
—Arthur Cleveland Coxe.
———
We will speak on; we will be heard;Though all earth's systems crack,We will not bate a single word,Nor take a letter back.We speak the truth; and what care weFor hissing and for scornWhile some faint gleaming we can seeOf Freedom's coming morn!Let liars fear; let cowards shrink;Let traitors turn away;Whatever we have dared to think,That dare we also say.—James Russell Lowell.
We will speak on; we will be heard;Though all earth's systems crack,We will not bate a single word,Nor take a letter back.
We will speak on; we will be heard;
Though all earth's systems crack,
We will not bate a single word,
Nor take a letter back.
We speak the truth; and what care weFor hissing and for scornWhile some faint gleaming we can seeOf Freedom's coming morn!
We speak the truth; and what care we
For hissing and for scorn
While some faint gleaming we can see
Of Freedom's coming morn!
Let liars fear; let cowards shrink;Let traitors turn away;Whatever we have dared to think,That dare we also say.
Let liars fear; let cowards shrink;
Let traitors turn away;
Whatever we have dared to think,
That dare we also say.
—James Russell Lowell.
—James Russell Lowell.
———
He has no enemies, you say?My friend, your boast is poor;He who hath mingled in the frayOf duty, that the brave endure,Must have made foes. If he has noneSmall is the work that he has done.He has hit no traitor on the hip;He has cast no cup from tempted lip;He has never turned the wrong to right;He has been a coward in the fight.
He has no enemies, you say?My friend, your boast is poor;He who hath mingled in the frayOf duty, that the brave endure,Must have made foes. If he has noneSmall is the work that he has done.He has hit no traitor on the hip;He has cast no cup from tempted lip;He has never turned the wrong to right;He has been a coward in the fight.
He has no enemies, you say?
My friend, your boast is poor;
He who hath mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes. If he has none
Small is the work that he has done.
He has hit no traitor on the hip;
He has cast no cup from tempted lip;
He has never turned the wrong to right;
He has been a coward in the fight.
———
One deed may mar a life,And one can make it.Hold firm thy will for strife,Lest a quick blow break it!Even now from far, on viewless wing,Hither speeds the nameless thingShall put thy spirit to the test.Haply or e'er yon sinking sunShall drop behind the purple WestAll shall be lost—or won!—Richard Watson Gilder.
One deed may mar a life,And one can make it.Hold firm thy will for strife,Lest a quick blow break it!Even now from far, on viewless wing,Hither speeds the nameless thingShall put thy spirit to the test.Haply or e'er yon sinking sunShall drop behind the purple WestAll shall be lost—or won!
One deed may mar a life,
And one can make it.
Hold firm thy will for strife,
Lest a quick blow break it!
Even now from far, on viewless wing,
Hither speeds the nameless thing
Shall put thy spirit to the test.
Haply or e'er yon sinking sun
Shall drop behind the purple West
All shall be lost—or won!
—Richard Watson Gilder.
—Richard Watson Gilder.
———
In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain,Our course be onward still;We sow on Burmah's barren plain,We reap on Zion's hill.—Adoniram Judson.
In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain,Our course be onward still;We sow on Burmah's barren plain,We reap on Zion's hill.
In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain,
Our course be onward still;
We sow on Burmah's barren plain,
We reap on Zion's hill.
—Adoniram Judson.
—Adoniram Judson.
———
I find no foeman in the road but Fear.To doubt is failure and to dare success.—Frederic Lawrence Knowles.
I find no foeman in the road but Fear.To doubt is failure and to dare success.
I find no foeman in the road but Fear.
To doubt is failure and to dare success.
—Frederic Lawrence Knowles.
—Frederic Lawrence Knowles.
———
Dare to do right! dare to be true!You have a work that no other can do,Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,Angels will hasten the story to tell.Dare to do right! dare to be true!Other men's failures can never save you;Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;Stand like a hero, and battle till death.Dare to do right! dare to be true!God, who created you, cares for you too;Treasures the tears that his striving ones shed,Counts and protects every hair of your head.Dare to do right! dare to be true!Keep the great judgment-seat always in view;Look at your work as you'll look at it then—Scanned by Jehovah, and angels, and men.Dare to do right! dare to be true!Cannot Omnipotence carry you through?City, and mansion, and throne all in sight—Can you not dare to be true and do right?Dare to do right! dare to be true!Prayerfully, lovingly, firmly pursueThe path by apostles and martyrs once trod,The path of the just to the city of God.—George Lansing Taylor.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!You have a work that no other can do,Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,Angels will hasten the story to tell.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do,
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!Other men's failures can never save you;Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;Stand like a hero, and battle till death.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
Other men's failures can never save you;
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;
Stand like a hero, and battle till death.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!God, who created you, cares for you too;Treasures the tears that his striving ones shed,Counts and protects every hair of your head.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
God, who created you, cares for you too;
Treasures the tears that his striving ones shed,
Counts and protects every hair of your head.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!Keep the great judgment-seat always in view;Look at your work as you'll look at it then—Scanned by Jehovah, and angels, and men.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
Keep the great judgment-seat always in view;
Look at your work as you'll look at it then—
Scanned by Jehovah, and angels, and men.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!Cannot Omnipotence carry you through?City, and mansion, and throne all in sight—Can you not dare to be true and do right?
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
Cannot Omnipotence carry you through?
City, and mansion, and throne all in sight—
Can you not dare to be true and do right?
Dare to do right! dare to be true!Prayerfully, lovingly, firmly pursueThe path by apostles and martyrs once trod,The path of the just to the city of God.
Dare to do right! dare to be true!
Prayerfully, lovingly, firmly pursue
The path by apostles and martyrs once trod,
The path of the just to the city of God.
—George Lansing Taylor.
—George Lansing Taylor.
———
Pluck wins! It always wins! though days be slow,And nights be dark 'twixt days that come and go,Still pluck will win; its average is sure,He gains the prize who will the most endure;Who faces issues; he who never shirks;Who waits and watches, and who always works.
Pluck wins! It always wins! though days be slow,And nights be dark 'twixt days that come and go,Still pluck will win; its average is sure,He gains the prize who will the most endure;Who faces issues; he who never shirks;Who waits and watches, and who always works.
Pluck wins! It always wins! though days be slow,
And nights be dark 'twixt days that come and go,
Still pluck will win; its average is sure,
He gains the prize who will the most endure;
Who faces issues; he who never shirks;
Who waits and watches, and who always works.
———
Be never discouraged!Look up and look on;When the prospect is darkestThe cloud is withdrawn.The shadows that blackenThe earth and the sky,Speak to the strong-hearted,Salvation is nigh.Be never discouraged!If you would secureThe earth's richest blessings,And make heaven sure,Yield not in the battle,Nor quail in the blast;The brave and unyieldingWin nobly at last.Be never discouraged!By day and by nightHave glory in prospectAnd wisdom in sight;Undaunted and faithful,You never will fail,Though kingdoms oppose youAnd devils assail.—D. C. Colesworthy.
Be never discouraged!Look up and look on;When the prospect is darkestThe cloud is withdrawn.The shadows that blackenThe earth and the sky,Speak to the strong-hearted,Salvation is nigh.
Be never discouraged!
Look up and look on;
When the prospect is darkest
The cloud is withdrawn.
The shadows that blacken
The earth and the sky,
Speak to the strong-hearted,
Salvation is nigh.
Be never discouraged!If you would secureThe earth's richest blessings,And make heaven sure,Yield not in the battle,Nor quail in the blast;The brave and unyieldingWin nobly at last.
Be never discouraged!
If you would secure
The earth's richest blessings,
And make heaven sure,
Yield not in the battle,
Nor quail in the blast;
The brave and unyielding
Win nobly at last.
Be never discouraged!By day and by nightHave glory in prospectAnd wisdom in sight;Undaunted and faithful,You never will fail,Though kingdoms oppose youAnd devils assail.
Be never discouraged!
By day and by night
Have glory in prospect
And wisdom in sight;
Undaunted and faithful,
You never will fail,
Though kingdoms oppose you
And devils assail.
—D. C. Colesworthy.
—D. C. Colesworthy.
———
Keep pushing—'tis wiser than sitting asideAnd dreaming and sighing and waiting the tide.In life's earnest battle they only prevailWho daily march onward, and never say fail.With an eye ever open, a tongue that's not dumb,And a heart that will never to sorrow succumb,You'll battle—and conquer, though thousands assail;How strong and how mighty, who never say fail.In life's rosy morning, in manhood's firm pride,Let this be the motto your footsteps to guide:In storm and in sunshine, whatever assail,We'll onward and conquer, and never say fail.
Keep pushing—'tis wiser than sitting asideAnd dreaming and sighing and waiting the tide.In life's earnest battle they only prevailWho daily march onward, and never say fail.
Keep pushing—'tis wiser than sitting aside
And dreaming and sighing and waiting the tide.
In life's earnest battle they only prevail
Who daily march onward, and never say fail.
With an eye ever open, a tongue that's not dumb,And a heart that will never to sorrow succumb,You'll battle—and conquer, though thousands assail;How strong and how mighty, who never say fail.
With an eye ever open, a tongue that's not dumb,
And a heart that will never to sorrow succumb,
You'll battle—and conquer, though thousands assail;
How strong and how mighty, who never say fail.
In life's rosy morning, in manhood's firm pride,Let this be the motto your footsteps to guide:In storm and in sunshine, whatever assail,We'll onward and conquer, and never say fail.
In life's rosy morning, in manhood's firm pride,
Let this be the motto your footsteps to guide:
In storm and in sunshine, whatever assail,
We'll onward and conquer, and never say fail.
———
However the battle is ended,Though proudly the victor comes,With fluttering flags and prancing nagsAnd echoing roll of drums,Still truth proclaims this motto,In letters of living light:No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.Though the heel of the strong oppressorMay grind the weak in the dust,And the voices of fame with one acclaimMay call him great and just,Let those who applaud take warning,And keep this motto in sight:No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.Let those who have failed take courage;Though the enemy seemed to have won,Though his ranks are strong, if in the wrongThe battle is not yet done.For, sure as the morning followsThe darkest hour of the night,No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.
However the battle is ended,Though proudly the victor comes,With fluttering flags and prancing nagsAnd echoing roll of drums,Still truth proclaims this motto,In letters of living light:No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.
However the battle is ended,
Though proudly the victor comes,
With fluttering flags and prancing nags
And echoing roll of drums,
Still truth proclaims this motto,
In letters of living light:
No question is ever settled
Until it is settled right.
Though the heel of the strong oppressorMay grind the weak in the dust,And the voices of fame with one acclaimMay call him great and just,Let those who applaud take warning,And keep this motto in sight:No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.
Though the heel of the strong oppressor
May grind the weak in the dust,
And the voices of fame with one acclaim
May call him great and just,
Let those who applaud take warning,
And keep this motto in sight:
No question is ever settled
Until it is settled right.
Let those who have failed take courage;Though the enemy seemed to have won,Though his ranks are strong, if in the wrongThe battle is not yet done.For, sure as the morning followsThe darkest hour of the night,No question is ever settledUntil it is settled right.
Let those who have failed take courage;
Though the enemy seemed to have won,
Though his ranks are strong, if in the wrong
The battle is not yet done.
For, sure as the morning follows
The darkest hour of the night,
No question is ever settled
Until it is settled right.
———
O, never from thy tempted heartLet thine integrity depart!When Disappointment fills thy cup,Undaunted, nobly drink it up;Truth will prevail and Justice showHer tardy honors, sure, though slow.Bear on—bear bravely on!Bear on! Our life is not a dream,Though often such its mazes seem;We were not born for lives of ease,Ourselves alone to aid and please.To each a daily task is given,A labor which shall fit for Heaven;When Duty calls, let Love grow warm;Amid the sunshine and the storm,With Faith life's trials boldly breast,And come a conqueror to thy rest.Bear on—bear bravely on!
O, never from thy tempted heartLet thine integrity depart!When Disappointment fills thy cup,Undaunted, nobly drink it up;Truth will prevail and Justice showHer tardy honors, sure, though slow.Bear on—bear bravely on!
O, never from thy tempted heart
Let thine integrity depart!
When Disappointment fills thy cup,
Undaunted, nobly drink it up;
Truth will prevail and Justice show
Her tardy honors, sure, though slow.
Bear on—bear bravely on!
Bear on! Our life is not a dream,Though often such its mazes seem;We were not born for lives of ease,Ourselves alone to aid and please.To each a daily task is given,A labor which shall fit for Heaven;When Duty calls, let Love grow warm;Amid the sunshine and the storm,With Faith life's trials boldly breast,And come a conqueror to thy rest.Bear on—bear bravely on!
Bear on! Our life is not a dream,
Though often such its mazes seem;
We were not born for lives of ease,
Ourselves alone to aid and please.
To each a daily task is given,
A labor which shall fit for Heaven;
When Duty calls, let Love grow warm;
Amid the sunshine and the storm,
With Faith life's trials boldly breast,
And come a conqueror to thy rest.
Bear on—bear bravely on!
———
He that feeds men serveth few;He serves all who dares be true.—Ralph Waldo Emerson.
He that feeds men serveth few;He serves all who dares be true.
He that feeds men serveth few;
He serves all who dares be true.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson.
———
Be firm. One constant element in luckIs genuine, solid, old Teutonic pluck.See yon tall shaft? It felt the earthquake's thrill,Clung to its base, and greets the sunlight still.Stick to your aim; the mongrel's hold will slip,But only crow-bars loose the bulldog's grip;Small as he looks, the jaw that never yieldsDrags down the bellowing monarch of the fields.Yet, in opinions look not always back;Your wake is nothing,—mind the coming track;Leave what you've done for what you have to do,Don't be "consistent," but be simply true.—Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Be firm. One constant element in luckIs genuine, solid, old Teutonic pluck.See yon tall shaft? It felt the earthquake's thrill,Clung to its base, and greets the sunlight still.
Be firm. One constant element in luck
Is genuine, solid, old Teutonic pluck.
See yon tall shaft? It felt the earthquake's thrill,
Clung to its base, and greets the sunlight still.
Stick to your aim; the mongrel's hold will slip,But only crow-bars loose the bulldog's grip;Small as he looks, the jaw that never yieldsDrags down the bellowing monarch of the fields.
Stick to your aim; the mongrel's hold will slip,
But only crow-bars loose the bulldog's grip;
Small as he looks, the jaw that never yields
Drags down the bellowing monarch of the fields.
Yet, in opinions look not always back;Your wake is nothing,—mind the coming track;Leave what you've done for what you have to do,Don't be "consistent," but be simply true.
Yet, in opinions look not always back;
Your wake is nothing,—mind the coming track;
Leave what you've done for what you have to do,
Don't be "consistent," but be simply true.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes.
———
Do thy little; do it well;Do what right and reason tell;Do what wrong and sorrow claim:Conquer sin and cover shame.Do thy little, though it beDreariness and drudgery;They whom Christ apostles madeGathered fragments when he bade.
Do thy little; do it well;Do what right and reason tell;Do what wrong and sorrow claim:Conquer sin and cover shame.Do thy little, though it beDreariness and drudgery;They whom Christ apostles madeGathered fragments when he bade.
Do thy little; do it well;
Do what right and reason tell;
Do what wrong and sorrow claim:
Conquer sin and cover shame.
Do thy little, though it be
Dreariness and drudgery;
They whom Christ apostles made
Gathered fragments when he bade.
———
Is the work difficult?Jesus directs thee.Is the path dangerous?Jesus protects thee.Fear not and falter not;Let the word cheer thee:All through the coming yearHe will be near thee.
Is the work difficult?Jesus directs thee.Is the path dangerous?Jesus protects thee.
Is the work difficult?
Jesus directs thee.
Is the path dangerous?
Jesus protects thee.
Fear not and falter not;Let the word cheer thee:All through the coming yearHe will be near thee.
Fear not and falter not;
Let the word cheer thee:
All through the coming year
He will be near thee.
———
Well to suffer is divine.Pass the watchword down the linePass the countersign, Endure!Not to him who rashly dares,But to him who nobly bears,Is the victor's garland sure.—John Greenleaf Whittier.
Well to suffer is divine.Pass the watchword down the linePass the countersign, Endure!Not to him who rashly dares,But to him who nobly bears,Is the victor's garland sure.
Well to suffer is divine.
Pass the watchword down the line
Pass the countersign, Endure!
Not to him who rashly dares,
But to him who nobly bears,
Is the victor's garland sure.
—John Greenleaf Whittier.
—John Greenleaf Whittier.
———
If thou canst plan a noble deedAnd never flag till thou succeed,Though in the strife thy heart shall bleed,Whatever obstacles control,Thine hour will come; go on, true soul!Thou'lt win the prize; thou'lt reach the goal.
If thou canst plan a noble deedAnd never flag till thou succeed,Though in the strife thy heart shall bleed,Whatever obstacles control,Thine hour will come; go on, true soul!Thou'lt win the prize; thou'lt reach the goal.
If thou canst plan a noble deed
And never flag till thou succeed,
Though in the strife thy heart shall bleed,
Whatever obstacles control,
Thine hour will come; go on, true soul!
Thou'lt win the prize; thou'lt reach the goal.
———
I honor the man who is willing to sinkHalf his present repute for freedom to think;And when he has that, be his cause strong or weak,Will risk t'other half for freedom to speak.—James Russell Lowell.
I honor the man who is willing to sinkHalf his present repute for freedom to think;And when he has that, be his cause strong or weak,Will risk t'other half for freedom to speak.
I honor the man who is willing to sink
Half his present repute for freedom to think;
And when he has that, be his cause strong or weak,
Will risk t'other half for freedom to speak.
—James Russell Lowell.
—James Russell Lowell.
———
The word is great, and no deed is greaterWhen both are of God, to follow or lead;But alas! for the truth when the word comes later,With questioned steps, to sustain the deed.—John Boyle O'Reilly.
The word is great, and no deed is greaterWhen both are of God, to follow or lead;But alas! for the truth when the word comes later,With questioned steps, to sustain the deed.
The word is great, and no deed is greater
When both are of God, to follow or lead;
But alas! for the truth when the word comes later,
With questioned steps, to sustain the deed.
—John Boyle O'Reilly.
—John Boyle O'Reilly.
———
Stand upright, speak thy thought, declareThe truth thou hast that all may share;Be bold, proclaim it everywhere;They only live who dare.—Lewis Morris.
Stand upright, speak thy thought, declareThe truth thou hast that all may share;Be bold, proclaim it everywhere;They only live who dare.
Stand upright, speak thy thought, declare
The truth thou hast that all may share;
Be bold, proclaim it everywhere;
They only live who dare.
—Lewis Morris.
—Lewis Morris.
———
There is no duty patent in the worldLike daring try be good and true myself,Leaving the shows of things to the Lord of showAnd Prince o' the power of the air.—Robert Browning.
There is no duty patent in the worldLike daring try be good and true myself,Leaving the shows of things to the Lord of showAnd Prince o' the power of the air.
There is no duty patent in the world
Like daring try be good and true myself,
Leaving the shows of things to the Lord of show
And Prince o' the power of the air.
—Robert Browning.
—Robert Browning.
———
Tender-handed stroke a nettle,And it stings you for your pains;Grasp it like a man of mettle,And it soft as silk remains.—Aaron Hill (1685-1750).
Tender-handed stroke a nettle,And it stings you for your pains;Grasp it like a man of mettle,And it soft as silk remains.
Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains.
—Aaron Hill (1685-1750).
—Aaron Hill (1685-1750).
———
On the red rampart's slippery swell,With heart that beat a charge, he fellFoeward, as fits a man;But the high soul burns on to light men's feetWhere death for noble ends makes dying sweet.—James Russell Lowell.
On the red rampart's slippery swell,With heart that beat a charge, he fellFoeward, as fits a man;But the high soul burns on to light men's feetWhere death for noble ends makes dying sweet.
On the red rampart's slippery swell,
With heart that beat a charge, he fell
Foeward, as fits a man;
But the high soul burns on to light men's feet
Where death for noble ends makes dying sweet.
—James Russell Lowell.
—James Russell Lowell.
———
I do not ask that Thou shalt front the fray.And drive the warring foeman from my sight:I only ask, O Lord, by night, by day,Strength for the fight!
I do not ask that Thou shalt front the fray.And drive the warring foeman from my sight:I only ask, O Lord, by night, by day,Strength for the fight!
I do not ask that Thou shalt front the fray.
And drive the warring foeman from my sight:
I only ask, O Lord, by night, by day,
Strength for the fight!
———
No coward soul is mine,No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere;I see Heaven's glories shine,And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.—Emily Brontë.
No coward soul is mine,No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere;I see Heaven's glories shine,And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.
No coward soul is mine,
No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere;
I see Heaven's glories shine,
And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.
—Emily Brontë.
—Emily Brontë.
———
You will find that luckIs only pluckTo try things over and over;Patience and skill,Courage and will,Are the four leaves of luck's clover.
You will find that luckIs only pluckTo try things over and over;Patience and skill,Courage and will,Are the four leaves of luck's clover.
You will find that luck
Is only pluck
To try things over and over;
Patience and skill,
Courage and will,
Are the four leaves of luck's clover.
———
The chivalryThat dares the right and disregards alikeThe yea and nay o' the world.—Robert Browning.
The chivalryThat dares the right and disregards alikeThe yea and nay o' the world.
The chivalry
That dares the right and disregards alike
The yea and nay o' the world.
—Robert Browning.
—Robert Browning.
———
God has his best things for the fewWho dare to stand the test;He has his second choice for thoseWho will not have his best.
God has his best things for the fewWho dare to stand the test;He has his second choice for thoseWho will not have his best.
God has his best things for the few
Who dare to stand the test;
He has his second choice for those
Who will not have his best.
———
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie;A fault which needs it most grows two thereby.—George Herbert.
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie;A fault which needs it most grows two thereby.
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most grows two thereby.
—George Herbert.
—George Herbert.
God give us men! A time like this demandsStrong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;Men whom the lust of office does not kill;Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;Men who possess opinions and a will;Men who have honor—men who will not lie.Men who can stand before a demagogueAnd damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fogIn public duty and in private thinking;For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,Their large professions and their little deeds,Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps.—Josiah Gilbert Holland.
God give us men! A time like this demandsStrong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;Men whom the lust of office does not kill;Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;Men who possess opinions and a will;Men who have honor—men who will not lie.Men who can stand before a demagogueAnd damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fogIn public duty and in private thinking;For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,Their large professions and their little deeds,Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps.
God give us men! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor—men who will not lie.
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland.
———
By thine own soul's law learn to live,And if men thwart thee take no heed;And if men hate thee have no care;Sing thou thy song, and do thy deed;Hope thou thy hope, and pray thy prayer,And claim no crown they will not give,Nor bays they grudge thee for thy hair.Keep thou thy soul-won, steadfast oath,And to thy heart be true thy heart;What thy soul teaches learn to know,And play out thine appointed part,And thou shalt reap as thou shalt sow,Nor helped nor hardened in thy growth,To thy full stature thou shalt grow.Fix on the future's goal thy face,And let thy feet be lured to strayNowhither, but be swift to run,And nowhere tarry by the way,Until at last the end is won,And thou mayst look back from thy placeAnd see thy long day's journey done.—Pakenham Beatty.
By thine own soul's law learn to live,And if men thwart thee take no heed;And if men hate thee have no care;Sing thou thy song, and do thy deed;Hope thou thy hope, and pray thy prayer,And claim no crown they will not give,Nor bays they grudge thee for thy hair.
By thine own soul's law learn to live,
And if men thwart thee take no heed;
And if men hate thee have no care;
Sing thou thy song, and do thy deed;
Hope thou thy hope, and pray thy prayer,
And claim no crown they will not give,
Nor bays they grudge thee for thy hair.
Keep thou thy soul-won, steadfast oath,And to thy heart be true thy heart;What thy soul teaches learn to know,And play out thine appointed part,And thou shalt reap as thou shalt sow,Nor helped nor hardened in thy growth,To thy full stature thou shalt grow.
Keep thou thy soul-won, steadfast oath,
And to thy heart be true thy heart;
What thy soul teaches learn to know,
And play out thine appointed part,
And thou shalt reap as thou shalt sow,
Nor helped nor hardened in thy growth,
To thy full stature thou shalt grow.
Fix on the future's goal thy face,And let thy feet be lured to strayNowhither, but be swift to run,And nowhere tarry by the way,Until at last the end is won,And thou mayst look back from thy placeAnd see thy long day's journey done.
Fix on the future's goal thy face,
And let thy feet be lured to stray
Nowhither, but be swift to run,
And nowhere tarry by the way,
Until at last the end is won,
And thou mayst look back from thy place
And see thy long day's journey done.
—Pakenham Beatty.
—Pakenham Beatty.
———