STEP BY STEP by J. G. Holland

The S.D.A. Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1880

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 14

STEP BY STEP.

By J. G. Holland

Heaven is not reached by a single bound; But we build the ladder by which we rise From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we mount to its summit round by round.

I count these things to be grandly true: That a noble deed is a step toward God, Lifting the soul from the common sod To a purer air and a broader view.

We rise by the things that are under our feet; By what we have mastered in greed and gain, By the pride deposed and the passion slain, And the vanquished ill we hourly meet.

We hope, we resolve, we aspire, we trust, When the morning calls to life and light; But our heart grows weary, and ere the night Our lives are trailing in a sordid dust.

Wings for the angels, but feet for the men! We must borrow the wings to find the way; We may hope, and resolve, and aspire, and pray, But our feet must rise or we fall again.

Only in dreams is the ladder thrown From the weary earth to the sapphire wall! But the dreams depart and the visions fall, And the sleeper wakes on his pillow of stone.

Heaven is not reached at a single bound; But we build the ladder by which we rise From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we mount to its summit round by round.

—J. G. Holland.