So she helped a younger child along, When the road was rough to the feet; And she sang from her heart a little song, A song that was passing sweet; And her father, a weary, toil-worn man, Said, "I too will do the best that I can." WORK LOYALLY Just where you stand in the conflict, There is your place! Just where you think you are useless Hide not your face! God placed you there for a purpose, Whate'er it be; Think He has chosen you for it-- Work loyally. Gird on your armor! Be faithful At toil or rest, Whiche'er it be, never doubting God's way is best. Out in the fight, or on picket, Stand firm and true; This is the work which your Master Gives you to do. Who does the best his circumstance allows, Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more. --Edward Young. 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 God 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 Shines 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--God'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!"