DUTY.
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.—Ecclesiastes, xii. 13.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.—Luke, xvii. 10.
Who shall, O God! ascend thy holy hill?
Ev’n he whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,
Faithful of Word, and dutiful of Will.
J. A. Heraud.
Between ourselves and our desires, too oft,
We build a wall impassable. We mar
By futile artifice what honest skill
In either would alone effect.—Straight on,
And up the mountain, heavenwards aloft,
Should be the chosen path; however far
The goal may be; to reach it wants but will
To trust in God, and prudent courage drawn
From honourable purpose. Hard may be
The track, and steep to climb, but walls are none
To scale, nor ladders lack we, ’midst the chill
Of mental Alps, but only eyes to see
These words of truth light-written in the sun—
“The path of duty aye runs up the hill.”
Calder Campbell.
Rugged strength and radiant beauty—
These were one in nature’s plan;
Humble toil and heavenward duty—
These will form the perfect man.
Mrs. Hale.
Stern daughter of the voice of God!
O Duty! if that name thou love
Who art a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove;
Thou who art victory and law
When empty terrors overawe,
Give unto me, made lowly wise,
The spirit of self-sacrifice.
Wordsworth.