MAXIMUS by Adelaide Procter

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 20, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 29.

MAXIMUS

By Adelaide Procter

I HOLD him great who, for love's sake, Can give with generous, earnest will; Yet he who takes, for love's sweet sake, I think I hold more generous still.

I bow before the noble mind That freely some great wrong forgives, Yet nobler is the one forgiven Who bears the burden well, and lives.

It may be hard to gain, and still To keep a lowly, steadfast heart; Yet he who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part.

Glorious it is to wear the crown Of a deserved and pure success; He who knows how to fail has won A crown whose lustre is not less.

Great may be he who can command And rule with just and tender sway; Yet is diviner wisdom taught Better by him who can obey.

Blessed are those who die for God, And earn the martyr's crown of light; Yet he who lives for God may be A greater conqueror in His sight.

—Adelaide Procter.