To one, a still voice comes,—a breath, a prayer, Breathed by a brother, in life’s changing day; And, gazing up, he leaves the valley fair To seek that other path,—the surer way.
He climbs the height; the vale beneath him lies, And angels guide his faltering steps aright; To gain the summit manfully he tries,— Above he sees the day’s eternal light;
But looking downward, to the valley fair, Where, in youth’s morn, his weary feet have trod, He sees his fellow traveler lingering there And, in his strength, he leads him up to God.
Happy is he who finds the heavenly way And lends to doubting souls a helping hand; God’s light directs him, step by step, each day,— God’s glory waits him in the Promised Land.
STEADFASTNESS.
We never know what we can do, Until we try; He who accomplishes the least, Stands idly by; While he who makes the most of life, Keeps plodding on, And earns at least his perfect rest When strength is gone.
We never know what we can do, Until we dare; He who would gain the victor’s place, Must not despair; For tho’ life’s burdens seem too great, The way too long, He will succeed who conquers doubt By prayer and song.