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HOW TO LIVE

He liveth long who liveth well!
All other life is short and vain;
He liveth longest, who can tell
Of living most for heavenly gain.

He liveth long who liveth well!
All else is being thrown away;
He liveth longest who can tell
Of true things truly done each day.

Waste not thy being; back to Him
Who freely gave it, freely give;
Else is that being but a dream:
‘Tis but to be, and not to live.

Be what thou seemest! live thy creed!
Hold up to earth the torch divine;
Be what thou prayest to be made,
Let the great Master’s steps be thine.

Fill up each hour with what will last;
Buy up the moments as they go;
The life above, when this is past,
Is the ripe food of life below.

Sow truth, if thou the truth wouldst reap;
Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright;
Erect and sound thy conscience keep;
From hollow words and deeds refrain.

Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure;
Sow peace, and reap its harvests bright;
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor,
And reap a harvest home of light.
—Horatius Bonar.

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— October, 1883 —