Kind Deeds Better than Martial Deeds.
By W. Milne
READER, have you ever gladdened
One desponding, sinking heart,
By the wayside chilled and saddened? —
You have played a Christ-like part. In this world of toll and trouble
You have not appeared in vain;
Blessing others, you shall double
Blessings for yourself obtain. Have you dried one tear of sorrow
Upon smooth or furrowed cheek?
Helped to hope a bright to-morrow,
When to-day was cold and bleak? Yours shall be the sweet approval
Of the conscience and the heart,
Which no palace, court, or hovel,
Can withhold nor yet impart. Martial fame and martial glory
When they yield their highest meed,
Pale before the simple story
Of one little kindly deed. Yet, the voice of wisdom spurning,
After honors, wealth, renown,
Mad ambition will keep turning
All the world upside down. On the bloody field of slaughter
Men will seek the bauble fame;
In the wrangling legislature
Others prize a place and name. At the press, and at the altar,
On the bench, and at the bar,
Men fight on and never falter —
Few escaping scath and soar. Some forget in life's hot contest
Duty both to God and man;
Wealth and fame, and power and conquest,
Open, center, end their plan. All in earnest are, and after
Happiness which many miss;
Though their mouths are filled with laughter,
They are strangers still to bliss. But to those who lift in kindness
Water to the fevered lip,
Save the erring from their blindness,
Stay the feet about to slip,— Shelter, clothe and feed the starving,
Ever courteous and kind
Even to the undeserving,
Recompense at last shall find. They at judgment, by the Saviour,
With the words shall welcomed be:
‘Come, ye blessed of my Father,
What ye did ye did for me.’