Do Thy Duty by John Greenleaf Whittier

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 21, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 20.

Do Thy Duty

By John Greenleaf Whittier

"To thy duty now and ever! Dream no more of rest or stay; Give to Freedom's great endeavor All thou art and hast to-day:— Thus, above the city's murmur, Saith a voice, or seems to say.

Ye with heart and vision gifted To discern and love the right, Whose worn faces have been lifted To the slowly growing light, Where from Freedom's sunrise drifted Slowly back the murk of night!

Well it may be that our natures Have grown sterner and more hard, And the freshness of their features Somewhat harsh and battle-scarred, And their harmonies of feeling Overtasked and rudely jarred.

Be it so. It should not swerve us From a purpose true and brave; Dearer Freedom's rugged service Than the pastime of the slave; Better is the storm above it Than the quiet of the grave. — Whittier.