p. 108 | 'TIS BETTER by Lillie Sheldon

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 18, 1889

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 7

'TIS BETTER.

By Lillie Sheldon

Better to con life's lessons all Than to frown at the harder places, Better to climb, tho' we sometimes fall And move with indifferent paces, Than to sit discouraged, and idly complain, Counting life but a failure and fetter,— For God has a plan for every man That no wisdom of earth could better.

Better than wait for a cloudless day Is to catch the light as it's given; Better to seize the joys as they stray Than wait for the bliss of Heaven. Better a song tho' you sing it yourself With a voice which no music discloses, Than to fill the years with sighs and tears, Waiting for “hot-house roses.”

Better to do a lowly deed Than wait for a grand endeavor; Small chances come where we may succeed, But the great may slight us ever. Better than wait to lead a crusade, Drop daily our lump of leaven,— If we do our best we may leave the rest With the Ruler of Earth and Heaven.

—Lillie Sheldon, in Woman's Work.