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TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD

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Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 31, 1854

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 6, No. 12.

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TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD.

By John Pierpont

On the page that is immortal We the brilliant promise see; “Ye shall know the truth, my people, And its might shall make you free.”
For the Truth, then, let us battle, Whatsoever fate betide! Long the boast that we are freemen, We have made and published wide.
He who has the truth and keeps it, Keeps not what to him belongs, But performs a selfish action, That his fellow mortal wrongs.
He who seeks the truth and trembles At the dangers he must brave, Is not fit to be a freeman; He, at best, is but a slave.
He who bears the truth, and places Its high promptings under ban, Loud may boast of all that’s manly, But can never be a Man.
Friend, this simple lay who readest, Be not thou like either them— But to truth give utmost freedom, And the tide it raises stem.
Bold in speech, and bold in action, Be forever!—Time will test, Of the free-souled and the slavish, Which fulfills life's mission best.
Be thou like the noble Ancient— Scorn the threat that bids thee fear; Speak! no matter what betide thee; Let them strike, but make them hear!
Be thou like the first Apostles; Be thou like heroic Paul; If a free thought seeks expression, Speak it boldly! Speak it all!
Face thine enemies, accusers; Scorn the prison, rack or rod! And if thou hast Truth to utter, Speak! and leave the rest to God! [John Pierpont.