“A primrose by the river’s brim
  A yellow primrose was to him,
  And it was nothing more.”

But to stop now and then and realize that the world is fresh and buoyant and happy, will do much to keep the spirit young.  We should be glad that we are alive, should tell ourselves often in the words of Charles Lamb:  “I am in love with this green earth.”

  The south wind is driving
  His splendid cloud-horses
    Through vast fields of blue. 
  The bare woods are singing,
  The brooks in their courses
  Are bubbling and springing
  And dancing and leaping,
  The violets peeping. 
  I’m glad to be living: 
    Aren’t you?

Gamaliel Bradford.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING TO DO

An old lady, famous for her ability to find in other people traits that she could commend, was challenged to say a good word for the devil.  After a moment’s hesitation she answered, “You must at least give him credit for being industrious.”  Perhaps it is this superactivity of Satan that causes beings less wickedly inclined to have such scope for the exercise of their qualities.  Certain it is that nobody need hang back from want of something to do, to promote, to assail, to protect, to endure, or to sympathize with.

  There will always be something to do, my boy;
    There will always be wrongs to right;
  There will always be need for a manly breed
    And men unafraid to fight. 
  There will always be honor to guard, my boy;
    There will always be hills to climb,
  And tasks to do, and battles new
    From now till the end of time.

  There will always be dangers to face, my boy;
    There will always be goals to take;
  Men shall be tried, when the roads divide,
    And proved by the choice they make. 
  There will always be burdens to bear, my boy;
    There will always be need to pray;
  There will always be tears through the future years,
    As loved ones are borne away.

  There will always be God to serve, my boy,
    And always the Flag above;
  They shall call to you until life is through
    For courage and strength and love. 
  So these are things that I dream, my boy,
    And have dreamed since your life began: 
  That whatever befalls, when the old world calls,
    It shall find you a sturdy man.

Edgar A. Guest.

From “The Path to Home.”

GOOD INTENTIONS

Thinking you would like a square meal will not in itself earn you one.  Thinking you would like a strong body will not without effort on your part make you an athlete.  Thinking you would like to be kind or successful will not bring you gentleness or achievement if you stop with mere thinking.  The arrows of intention must have the bow of strong purpose to impel them.