vapors
That color sunset skies,
Time's infinitesimal fraction
When planets set and rise,

To solve the problems of the air,
The secrets of the deep,
Are all intrinsic subjects
And worthy of our keep.

But these alone are worthless,
They need augmented force
To lead mind toward the fountain
From which it had its source.

They leave one vital question--
Development of man--
Without e'en crude solution,
Without a working plan.

They leave the mighty problem
Of Maker and the Made,
Devoid of any sequence,
Or any plan portrayed.

These are of greatest moment
To persons and to State,
Upon their wise adjustment
Must hang progression's fate.

Cold are the truths of science,
Lifeless their every plan,
Until in living presence,
They're crystalized in man.

As hidden truths are useless
And aid not human skill,
So slumber mighty forces
Through lack of human will.

To know the right is not enough,
It must be given power
Through culture of the heart and soul,
If it shall blessings shower.

To State, to manhood and to God
Must mind be wholly given,
Ere truth will shine a beacon light,
To illumine earth and heaven.

All things were made but to subserve
Man's powers to improve,
And beautify his being here
Through charity and love.

Power, gold, and wealth are agencies
Placed in a creature's hand
To serve an end, but not to rule,--
Obey, but not command.

As mind and soul matter surpass
And error flies from truth,
So should we train the nobler parts
Of plastic, trusting youth.

The sacred man by God ordained,
Links sinful earth with heaven,
But his success oft must depend
On how instruction's given.

The holy task of training mind
Is not a trivial thing,
Its influence lives, grows and expands
Till harvest it shall bring.

No task, to human hands assigned,
Excels in force and weight
The grave responsibilities
Of those who educate.

Let knowledge of the sciences,
Skill in didactic art,
Power in the impulse of the soul
A knowledge to impart,

A love for God and human kind,
Forgetfulness of self,
A heart devoted to the cause
More than to worldly pelf,

Be given as a heritage
To those who fain would tea