p. 10 | LIFE'S HUMBLE TASKS by Mrs. Pauline F. Bolton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 45.

LIFE'S HUMBLE TASKS.

By Mrs. Pauline F. Bolton

In the still, cool woods ere the sleeping wind Awoke to stir its fern-leaf coverlid, Or playfully toss the flowers, and send Abroad the butterflies that all night hid, Afraid to stir; and before the first Bright shafts of golden sunshine, pierced the dim, Cathedral aisles, a sweet bird awoke, And sang with heart-felt joy its morning hymn.

Beneath, the hidden singer stood alone, A broken-hearted man, with bosom bare For the entering blade, who paused awhile To gather strength, ere he, sin-cursed, should dare Defy his God and die;—but the sweet song, Like voice angelic, spoke to him of peace, Of infinite joy and trust, and he found From warring demons there a sweet release.

Despise thou not the humble tasks of life, Nor shrink, because thy gifts are few and small, And thy place far afield from busy mart, And deeds too small for fame, from doing all The Father asks thee. Not half the names Engraved to-day in halls of fame will be known When the books of heaven are opened; but those The first shall be last when Christ shall crown His own.

San Pedro, Cal. MRS. PAULINE F. BOLTON.