p. 1 | TRUE GREATNESS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1873

TRUE GREATNESS.

Say, where doth greatness dwell? In courts, On thrones of glory seated,— ’Mid glittering ranks of bright cohorts, By pomp and grandeur greeted? A crown, indeed, may make a king, But crowns true greatness cannot bring.

Or shall we find on battle-field, By victory attended, The truly great, unless the shield The cause of right defended? For oft hath might the battle gained, Whilst nations wept th’ escutcheon stained.

Shall hoarded riches greatness grant, Where moral worth is needed, What time the sons of woe and want In vain their sorrows pleaded? True greatness surely must be more Than misers seek and fools adore.

But he who feels another’s woe And strives to soothe his sorrow, Whose sympathies spontaneous flow To brighten his to-morrow, Shall be esteemed both good and great, And Heaven shall bless his last estate.

When Christ with men on earth was seen, Say, who so great in labor? And who, as did the Nazarene, Made grief so near a neighbor? Example high of all he taught, And great in all the works he wrought.

Good service makes the meanest great, Zeal purest shines, and brightest; Devotion smiles at frowning fate, Love’s labor is the lightest; Who lives to purpose lives indeed, And good works best adorn his creed.

Then say not wealth, or rank, or power, Or crowns, confer true glory; ’Tis goodness that survives the hour, And reads the best in story; And, though obscure the good man’s name, ’Tis glorious still, though lost to fame.