Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 23

LOYALTY

When courage fails and faith burns low, And men are timid grown, Hold fast thy loyalty and know That Truth still moveth on.

For unseen messengers she hath, To work her will and ways, And even human scorn and wrath G.o.d turneth to her praise.

She can both meek and lordly be, In heavenly might secure; With her is pledge of victory, And patience to endure.

The race is not unto the swift, The battle to the strong, When dawn her judgment-days that sift The claims of right and wrong.

And more than thou canst do for Truth Can she on thee confer, If thou, O heart, but give thy youth And manhood unto her.

For she can make thee inly bright, Thy self-love purge away, And lead thee in the path whose light s.h.i.+nes to the perfect day.

Who follow her, though men deride, In her strength shall be strong; Shall see their shame become their pride, And share her triumph song!

--Frederick Lucian Hosmer.

LIBERTY

I am Liberty--G.o.d's daughter!

My symbols--a law and a torch; Not a sword to threaten slaughter, Nor a flame to dazzle or scorch; But a light that the world may see, And a truth that shall make men free.

I am the sister of Duty, And I am the sister of Faith; To-day adored for my beauty, To-morrow led forth for death.

I am she whom ages prayed for; Heroes suffered undismayed for; Whom the martyrs were betrayed for.

--John Boyle O'Reilly.

THE NEAREST DUTY

My soul was stirred; I prayed, "Let me Do some great work, so purely, To right life's wrongs, that I shall know That I have loved Thee surely."

My lips sent forth their eager cry, The while my heart beat faster, "For some great deed to prove my love Send me; send me, my Master!"

From out the silence came a voice, Saying: "If G.o.d thou fearest, Rise up and do, thy whole life through, The duty that lies nearest.

The friendly word, the kindly deed, Though small the act in seeming, Shall in the end unto thy soul Prove mightier than thy dreaming.

The cup of water to the faint, Or rest unto the weary, The light thou giv'st another's life, Shall make thine own less dreary.

And boundless realms of faith and love Will wait for thy possessing; Not creeds, but deeds, if thou wouldst win Unto thy soul a blessing."

And so I wait with peaceful heart, Content to do His pleasure; Not caring if the world shall mock At smallness of the measure Of thoughts or deeds or daily life.

He knows the true endeavor-- To do His will, to seek His face-- And He will fail me never.

--Sarah A. Gibbs.

THE ONE TALENT

Hide not thy talent in the earth; However small it be, Its faithful use, its utmost worth, G.o.d will require of thee.

The humblest service rendered here He will as truly own As Paul's in his exalted sphere, Or Gabriel's near the throne.

The cup of water kindly given, The widow's cheerful mites, Are worthier in the eye of heaven Than pride's most costly rites.

His own, which He hath lent on trust, He asks of thee again; Little or much, the claim is just, And thine excuses vain.

Go, then, and strive to do thy part-- Though humble it may be; The ready hand, the willing heart, Are all heaven asks of thee.

--William Cutler.

ONE TALENT

(Matt. XXV. 18)

In a napkin smooth and white, Hidden from all mortal sight, My one talent lies to-night.

Mine to h.o.a.rd, or mine to use; Mine to keep, or mine to lose; May I not do what I choose?

Ah! the gift was only lent With the Giver's known intent That it should be wisely spent.

And I know he will demand Every farthing at my hand, When I in his presence stand.

What will be my grief and shame When I hear my humble name And cannot repay his claim!

One poor talent--nothing more!

All the years that have gone o'er Have not added to the store.

Some will double what they hold, Others add to it tenfold And pay back the s.h.i.+ning gold.

Would that I had toiled like them!

All my sloth I now condemn; Guilty fears my soul o'erwhelm.

Lord, oh teach me what to do.

Make me faithful, make me true, And the sacred trust renew.

Help me, ere too late it be, Something yet to do for Thee, Thou who hast done all for me.

Art thou little? Do thy little well; And for thy comfort know Great men can do their greatest work No better than just so.

--Johann W. von Goethe.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR TALENTS

Thou that in life's crowded city art arrived, thou knowest not how-- By what path or on what errand--list and learn thine errand now.