THE USEFUL LIFE.
Reading edition
Ψυχή μου, ψυχή μου, Ἀηαστα, τὶ καθευδεις. Old Greek Hymn.
Go labor on; spend, and be spent,— Thy joy to do the Father's will; It is the way the Master went, Should not the servant tread it still? Go labor on; 'tis not for nought; Thy earthly loss is heavenly gain; Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises, what are men? Go labor on; enough, while here, If He shall praise thee, if he deign Thy willing heart to mark and cheer; No toil for Him shall be in vain. Go labor on; your hands are weak, Your knees are faint, your soul cast down; Yet falter not; the prize you seek, Is near,—a kingdom and a crown! Go labor on, while it is day, The world's dark night is hastening on; Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away: It is not thus that souls are won. Men die in darkness at your side, Without a hope to cheer the tomb; Take up the torch and wave it wide, The torch that lights time's thickest gloom. Toil on, faint not, keep watch and pray; Be wise, the erring soul to win; Go forth into the world's highway, Compel the wanderer to come in. Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice; For toil comes rest, for exile home; Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom's voice, The midnight peal, behold I come! —Horatius Bonar.