  The world wants a smiling face, my boy, The world wants a bright smiling face; ’Tis the passport to favor on sea or land, In every profession and place. The world cares little, my darling boy, And heeds not the lonely and sad; But caresses ever the smiling face, And whatever maketh it glad. Besides, ’tis a duty, my noble boy; God gave man the instinct to smile, To lighten the burden his brother bears For many a lone, weary mile. Then keep your heart pure, my darling boy, Doing ever the Father’s will; And whatever your station in life may be, Rich blessings thy years all shall fill. Remove the obstacles from your path, Though your hands be bleeding, my boy; The brave and the pure that fight to the last No evil can ever destroy. To the world say never a word; Go fearlessly on, and you’ll win at the last The victory, though long deferred. Smile on the children, my darling boy, “Of such are the kingdom of heaven”; From the loved of home withhold it not, ’Tis a potent and sunny leaven, Raising the despondent to strength again, Removing the gloom from the day; It crowns all life with a nameless grace, Putting sorrow and care away. Your brother needs your bright smile, my boy, And the clasp of your strong right hand; His pathway may be with danger beset, In many a strange, far land. Pass not the sin-stained of earth, my boy, Raise the fallen again if you can; A purified soul, forgiven and blest, Rejoiceth the Saviour of man. Smile on the unfortunate, my boy, Take the hand of the poor and old; Sympathy warmeth the desolate— ’Tis better than silver and gold. It leadeth up to the starry heights, ’Twas divinely, wisely given; Soothing and blessing all the long way, It surely entereth heaven. |
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