THE REAL LIFE by Louis R. Ehrich

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 23, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 34.

THE REAL LIFE.

By Louis R. Ehrich

If when each season comes in turn so strangely, Unfolding nature’s laws in beauty shrined, Thou art not thrilled with full, profound conviction That these are thoughts of an Eternal Mind, Thou hast not lived.

If friendship whispered not to thee so fondly But that thou wast a brother to thy friend, Uplifting and enshielding him in trouble, So far thy power and fortune might extend, Thou hast not lived.

If duty ne’er hath called to thee so strongly That thou would’st not have battled on its side, And, standing bravely all alone if need be, Defied what fortune might for thee betide, Thou hast not lived.

If joy or grief of man hath left thee coldly,— The pain of beast, the song of bird above,— If thou hast not the tender heart-throb, pitying, Proclaiming kinship of a deep world-love, Thou hast not lived.

If thou hast schooled and trained thy soul so nobly, Exalting it with each refining grace, That thou might’st yield each thought and each emotion In consecration to the human race, Then thou hast lived. —Louis R. Ehrich.