"WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT?"

If I lay waste and wither up with doubt
The blessed fields of heaven where once my faith
Possessed itself serenely safe from death;
If I deny the things past finding out;
Or if I orphan my own soul of One
That seemed a Father, and make void the place
Within me where He dwelt in power and grace,
What do I gain that am myself undone?

--William Dean Howells.

[Footnote 1: The poems by the Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock on this and the
following page are reprinted, by special permission, from "Thoughts for
Every Day Living," copyright, 1901, by Charles Scribner's Sons.]

EMANCIPATION

Why be afraid of Death as though your life were breath!
Death but anoints your eyes with clay. O glad surprise!

Why should you be forlorn? Death only husks the corn.
Why should you fear to meet the thresher of the wheat?

Is sleep a thing to dread? Yet sleeping, you are dead
Till you awake and rise, here, or beyond the skies.

Why should it be a wrench to leave your wooden bench,
Why not with happy shout run home when school is out?

The dear ones left behind! O foolish one and blind.
A day--and you will meet,--a night--and you will greet!

This is the death of Death, to breathe away a breath
And know the end of strife, and taste the deathless life,

And joy without a fear, and smile without a tear,
And work, nor care nor rest, and find the last the best.

--Maltbie D. Babcock.

SCHOOL DAYS

Lord, let me make this rule:
To think of life as school,
And try my best
To stand each test,
And do my work
And nothing shirk.

Should some one else outshine
This dullard head of mine,
Should I be sad?
I will be glad.
To do my best
Is thy behest.

If weary with my book
I cast a wistful look
Where posies grow,
Oh, let me know
That flowers within
Are best to win.

Dost take my book away
Anon to let me play,
And let me out
To run about?
I grateful bless
Thee for recess.

Then recess past, alack,
I turn me slowly back,
On my hard bench,
My hands to clench,
And set my heart
To learn my part.

These lessons thou dost give
To teach me how to live,
To do, to bear,
To get and