p. 110 | Love and Labor

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 28, 1875

Love and Labor.

WE die not all; for our deeds remain To crown with honor or mar with stain; Through endless sequence of years to come Our lives shall speak, when our lips are dumb.

What though we perish, unknown to fame, Our tomb forgotten, and lost our name, Since naught is wasted in heaven or earth, And nothing dies to which God gives birth.

Though life be joyless, and death be cold, And pleasures pall as the world grows old, Yet God has granted our hearts relief, For Love and Labor can conquer grief.

Love sheds a light on the gloomy way, And Labor hurries the weary day; Though death be fearful and life be hard, Yet Love and Labor shall win reward.

If Love can dry up a single tear, If life-long Labor avail too dear A single web from before the true, Then Love and Labor have won their due.

What though we mourn, we can comfort pain; What if we die, so the truth be plain; A little spark from a high desire Shall kindle others, and grow a fire.

We are not worthy to work the whole; We have no strength which may save a soul; Enough for us if our life begin Successful struggle with grief and sin.

Labor is mortal, and fades away, But Love shall triumph in perfect day; Labor may wither beneath the sod, But Love lives ever, for Love is God. —Chambers' Journal.