The Home Circle by Mary Barker Dodge

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1885

The Home Circle.

By Mary Barker Dodge

Thank God for labor, ye who press Life's path of rose and rue; Thank God for need's impelling stress The tiresome task to do.

Thank God for rest to heart and brain His least co-worker finds, Though chilled and chafed by labor's chain— That frees, the while it binds.

Thank God, with every breath, that so Compelled to do and dare, No seed within your soul shall grow Of idle-born despair.

True, true, perhaps on lofty dreams Life's tyranny may frown; Yet, still, thank God for light that streams On toil's accomplished crown.

Of honest work, thank God, the rays Reach to the very skies, And call the morning stars to praise The peace that in them lies.

—Mary Barker Dodge, in S. S. Times.