The End of Life by Erastus W. Ellsworth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 17, 1878

The End of Life.

By Erastus W. Ellsworth

Thou dost amaze me that thou dost mistake The wandering rivers for the fountain lake. What is the end of living?—happiness? An end that none attain, Argues a purpose vain.

Plainly, this world is not a scope for bliss, But duty. Yet we see not all that is, Or may be, some day, if we love the light. What man is, in desires, Whispers where man aspires.

But what and where are we? what now—to-day? Souls on a globe that spins our lives away,— A multitudinous world, where Heaven and Hell, Strangely in battle met, Their gonfalons have set.

Dust though we are, and shall return to dust, Yet, being born to battles, fight we must; Under which ensign is our only choice, We know to wage our best, God only knows the rest.

Then since we see about us sin and dole, And some things good, why not, with hand and soul, Wrestle and succor out of wrong and sorrow,— Grasping the swords of strife, Making the most of life!

Yea, all that we can wield is worth the end, If sought as God's and man's most loyal friend. Naked we come into the world, and take Weapons of various skill,— Let us not use them ill.

Arouse thee, man! Shake off this hideous death! Be man! Stand up! Draw in a mighty breath. This world has quite enough emasculate hands, Dallying with doubt and sin. Come—here is work—begin!

Come, here is work—and a rank field—begin, Put thou thine edge to the great weeds of sin; So shalt thou find the use of life, and see Thy Lord, at set of sun, Approach and say, “Well done!”

This at the last: They clutch the sapless fruit, Ashes and dust of the Dead Sea, who suit Their course of life to compass happiness; But be it understood That, to be greatly good, All is the use.

— Erastus W. Ellsworth.