O thou who sighest for a broader field
Wherein to sow the seeds of truth and right--
Who fain a fuller, nobler power would wield
O'er human souls that languish for the light--
Search well the realm that even now is thine!
Canst not thou in some far-off corner find
A heart sin-bound, like tree with sapping vine,
Waiting for help its burdens to unbind?
Some human plant, perchance beneath thine eyes,
Pierced through with hidden thorns of idle fears;
Or drooping low for need of light from skies
Obscured by doubt-clouds raining poison tears?
Some bruised soul the balm of love would heal;
Some timid spirit faith would courage give;
Or maimed brother, who, though brave and leal,
Still needeth thee, to rightly walk and live?
O while one soul thou findest which hath not known
The fullest help thy soul hath power to give,
Sigh not for fields still broader than thine own,
But, steadfast in thine own, more broadly live.
--Julia Anna Wolcott.
Be it health or be it leisure,
Be it skill we have to give,
Still in spending it for others
Christians only really live.
Not in having or receiving,
But in giving, there is bliss;
He who has no other pleasure
Ever may rejoice in this.