There was a lad of long ago
Who yearned to try his luck at sea. He packed his trunk expectantly But heard his mother pleading, "No." The lad was silent with distress Yet did not sit around and pine. He learned to run a survey line And map the sea of wilderness. With eyes as steady as the sun He faced the test and did not run-- That lad whose name was Washington! There was a man of long ago Who thought a planter's life was best. He tilled the land and little guessed He soon would hear another "No!" His country gave a call to war! He left Mount Vernon's charm and cheer And led the army year by year Till peace had drowned the cannon's roar. He heard the call and did not shun The task ahead that must be done-- That man whose name was Washington! There was a hero long ago Who thought, "Now I can farm at last. The war is won, the danger past." Yet once again the word was "No." "We need you, Sir, as President," The letters said that swelled his mail. "Your country calls; you must not fail. We need you, Sir!" And so he went. He left no call, no task undone But met each test and always won-- That man whose name was Washington! -Aileen Fisher
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I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. -William Tyler Page, 1917 Nationwide contest winner In the still air the music lies unheard; In the rough marble beauty hides unseen; To make the music and the beauty needs The master's touch, the sculptor's chisel keen. Great Master, touch us with Your skillful hands; Let not the music that is in us die! Great Sculptor, hew and polish us; nor let, Hidden and lost, Your form within us lie! -Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, Streams in the Desert O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:1-24 A little ship was on the sea, It was a pretty sight; It sailed along so pleasantly, And all was calm and bright. The sun was sinking in the west; The shore was near at hand, And those on board with hearts at rest, Thought soon to reach the land. When lo! A storm began to rise; The wind grew loud and strong; It blew the clouds across the skies; It blew the waves along. And all but One were sore afraid Of sinking in the deep; His head was on a pillow laid, And He was fast asleep. "Master, we perish! Master, save!" They cried; their Master heard: He rose, rebuked the wind and wave, And stilled them with a word. He to the storm said, "Peace, be still!" The raging billows cease; The mighty winds obey His will, And all are hushed in peace. They greatly wondered-so may we, And ask as well as they, Who could this glorious Person be, Whom winds and seas obey? Oh well we know it was The Lord, The Saviour and the Friend, Whose care of those who trust His Word Will never, never end. -Author Unknown There's a comforting thought at the close of the day,
When I'm weary and lonely and sad, That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart And bids it be merry and glad. It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues, And finally thrills through and through. It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain: "I'm glad I touch shoulders with you!" Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong? Did you know there was one leaning hard? Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed, And was cheered by your simplest word? Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face, For the sound of your voice ringing true? Did you know I grew stronger and better because I had merely touched shoulders with your? I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive For the place that I know I must fill; I am thankful for sorrows, I'll meet with a grin What fortune may send, good or ill. I may not have wealth, I may not be great, But I know I shall always be true, For I have in my life that courage you gave When once I rubbed shoulders with you. -Unknown I know, as my life grows older,
And mine eyes have clearer sight, That under each rank wrong somewhere There lies the root of Right; That each sorrow has its purpose, By the sorrowing oft unguessed; But as sure as the sun brings the morning, Whatever is-is best. I know that each sinful action, As sure as the night brings shade, Is somewhere, sometime punished, Tho' the hour be long delayed. I know that the soul is aided Sometimes by the heart's unrest, And to grow means often to suffer- But whatever is-is best. I know there are no errors, In the great Eternal plan, And all things work together For the final good of man. And I know when my soul speeds onward, In its grand Eternal quest, I shall say as I look back earthward, Whatever is-is best. -Ella Wheeler Wilcox There is no chance, no destiny, no fate,
Can circumvent or hinder or control The firm resolve of a determined soul. Gifts count for nothing; will alone is great; All things give way before it, soon or late. What obstacle can stay the mighty force Of the sea-seeking river in its course, Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait? Each wellborn soul must win what it deserves. Let the fool prate of luck. The fortunate Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, Whose slightest action or inaction serves The one great aim. Why, even Death stands still, And waits an hour sometimes for such a will. -Ella Wheeler Wilcox People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; -Mother Teresa The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalms 23:1-6 |
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