And at times the people hooted him, when in the streets he went, And wanton boys cast stones at him, not thinking what it meant. 66 How little did those thoughtless ones know of the human heart, And why from human sympathy this strange man kept apart! How little did they know the cause that made his life so strange, And why his lot of constant toil he never seemed to change! 66 But, when he died, the mystery soon vanished when they heard This clause, which in his will explained why such life had been preferred: 'From infancy, I have observed the poor are ill supplied With water in Marseilles,' it said, 'and dear the cost beside. "And I have labored cheerfully, and all my life have striven That this great blessing to the poor may now be freely given; And therefore I direct that all my property shall be Laid out to build an aqueduct to bring the water free.' "What noble self-denial was here, my children, seen! What generous self-sacrifice 'neath that humble garb and mien; For like a flash of light these words make all that life appear, As when the midnight lightning shows the landscape far and near. "And its great and noble purpose stands forth to shame the thought, Whose littleness ne'er comprehends the good in silence wrought; So, my children, never fail to look upon the brightest side, Nor wholly trust appearances, for they cannot safely guide." JOHN WESTALL 173 DUTY Neglect in the morning brings sorrow at night; Duty brings peace, like the song of a dove; Think of this, children, and do every day Your duty, like heroes, at work or at play; This makes us like angels,-for this strive and pray. JOHN WESTALL 174 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." Let the road be rough and dreary, Perish policy and cunning! Perish all that fears the light! Trust no party, sect, or faction; Simple rule, and safest guiding, Inward peace and inward might, Star upon our path abiding, "Trust in God, and do the right." Some will hate thee, some will love thee, NORMAN MACLEOD 175 THERE'S WORK ENOUGH TO DO The blackbird early leaves its rest And every flower, would seem to say, 'There's work enough to do." 66 The cowslip and the spreading vine, The snowdrop and the eglantine, Who then can sleep, when all around Shall man-creation's lord-be found Our courts and alleys are the field, If men would search them through, That richest sweets of labor yield, And there's enough to do. To have a heart for those who weep, In ignorance and sin; To help the poor, the hungry feed, To give him coat and shoe; To see that all can write and read- The time is short-the world is wide, This wondrous earth and all its pride The moments fly on lightning's wings, No time to waste on foolish things 66 'There's work enough to do." ANONYMOUS 176 BE TRUE Young friends, to whom life's early days Are bright with promise all, And to whose view the glowing rays Of hope unclouded fall; To counsel each to choose the good, Observe, if you success would win, Two little words: Be true. |