t,
Rise up and do, thy whole life through,
The duty that lies nearest.
The friendly word, the kindly deed,
Though small the act in seeming,
Shall in the end unto thy soul
Prove mightier than thy dreaming.

The cup of water to the faint,
Or rest unto the weary,
The light thou giv'st another's life,
Shall make thine own less dreary.
And boundless realms of faith and love
Will wait for thy possessing;
Not creeds, but deeds, if thou wouldst win
Unto thy soul a blessing."

And so I wait with peaceful heart,
Content to do His pleasure;
Not caring if the world shall mock
At smallness of the measure
Of thoughts or deeds or daily life.
He knows the true endeavor--
To do His will, to seek His face--
And He will fail me never.

--Sarah A. Gibbs.

THE ONE TALENT

Hide not thy talent in the earth;
However small it be,
Its faithful use, its utmost worth,
God will require of thee.

The humblest service rendered here
He will as truly own
As Paul's in his exalted sphere,
Or Gabriel's near the throne.

The cup of water kindly given,
The widow's cheerful mites,
Are worthier in the eye of heaven
Than pride's most costly rites.

His own, which He hath lent on trust,
He asks of thee again;
Little or much, the claim is just,
And thine excuses vain.

Go, then, and strive to do thy part--
Though humble it may be;
The ready hand, the willing heart,
Are all heaven asks of thee.

--William Cutler.

ONE TALENT

(Matt. XXV. 18)

In a napkin smooth and white,
Hidden from all mortal sight,
My one talent lies to-night.

Mine to hoard, or mine to use;
Mine to keep, or mine to lose;
May I not do what I choose?

Ah! the gift was only lent
With the Giver's known intent
That it should be wisely spent.

And I know he will demand
Every farthing at my hand,
When I in his presence stand.

What will be my grief and shame
When I hear my humble name
And cannot repay his claim!

One poor talent--nothing more!
All the years that have gone o'er
Have not added to the store.

Some will double what they hold,
Others add to it tenfold
And pay back the shining gold.

Would that I had toiled like them!
All my slo