1892
“Who
knows
What earth needs from earths’s lowest creatures? No life
Can
be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife
And all life be not purer
and stronger thereby.
· · · Honest
work, honest sorrow,
Honest work for the day, honest hope for the morrow
—
Are these worth nothing more than the hand they make wary?
The
heart they have saddened, the life they leave dreary?”
This book is dedicated to those who want to grow better. If you are satisfied with yourself you would better not read it, for it might spoil your contentment.
It is sent out with the hope that it may be helpful to some, first in showing glimpses of better things, and then in leading toward them. It is written for people who have common human experiences, in the heart of the world’s toil and care; one who is a fellow-pilgrim with like experiences would lend a brother’s hand.
Perhaps a discouraged one may take heart again after reading some of these simple chapters; or one who has not thought seriously of life may grow a little more earnest; or one who has fallen by the way may rise and face toward the light and begin to live victoriously; or a fainting robin mat be helped back into the nest again. That will be blessing enough.
J.R.M