  The whole vast pyramid, Humanity, Is built on Influence, an unseen power, Whose great foundation stone is laid at start, Upon which rises day by day a part; Until the whole, imperfect though complete, Awaits the Judge at close of life’s brief hour. Like swallows who have found a summer sun, And frozen buds which wake to springtime light, So starved Humanity, which seeks awhile The warmth and light of earth’s most friendly smile, Bursts into fuller life and glories new By strength of influence daily used aright. As song of bird invites to melody Some other soaring songster of the air, Until a chorus, wakened far and near, Fills quiet hour with music and with cheer, So playful Zephyr may Æolus wake To scatter clouds and make the earth more fair. As raindrop falling to a fainting field May summon forth a sweet, refreshing shower, So little words may speed on loving wings, Till earth awakes and all the glad world sings; Till fainting hearts revive and souls are saved, By needed influence of cheer and power. If life with Socrates could make man wise, If Aristides could make mortal just, Then life with Christ can make a Christlike man, Who lives, reflecting Christ, as best he can; Whose nature is o’ertaken, sanctified, Whose influence ensures a sacred trust. The spell of Christ-life, deepening o’er the soul, Refines and softens conduct, speech, and mind; And what men think, and feel, and do, and say, Will make the earth less hopeful or more gay,— Will show a daring demon to the world, Or prove the loving God to mortal-kind. |
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