p. 142 | NOTHING TO DO

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 4, 1856

NOTHING TO DO.

"Nothing to do?" O pause, and look around At those oppressed with want, and sorrow too; Look at the wrongs, the sufferings that abound, Ere yet thou sayest there's naught for thee to do.

Are there no hungry that thy hand may feed, No sick to aid, no naked to be clad? Are there no blind whose footsteps thou may'st lead, No mourning heart that thou couldst make less sad?

"Nothing to do?" hast thou no store of gold, No wealth of time, that thou shouldst well employ? No hidden talent that thou shouldst unfold, No gift that thou shouldst use for other's joy?

"Nothing to do?" O look without, within, Be to thyself and to thy duties true: Look on the world, its troubles, and its sin, And own that thou hast much indeed to do.