SHAPING THE FUTURE by John Greenleaf Whittier

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 16, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 44.

SHAPING THE FUTURE.

By John Greenleaf Whittier

WE shape ourselves the joys or fear Of which the coming life is made, And fill our future atmosphere With sunshine or with shade. The tissues of the life to be We weave with colors all our own, And in the field of destiny We reap as we have sown. Still shall the soul around it call The shadows which it gathered here, And painted on the eternal wall The past shall re-appear. Think ye the notes of holy song On Milton's tuneful ear have died? Think ye that Raphael's angel throng Has vanished from his side? Oh, no! we live our life again; All warmly touched, or coldly dim, The pictures of the past remain; Man's work shall follow him. —J. G. Whittier.