A Pilgrim

Not all who seem to fail have failed indeed;
Not all who fail have therefore worked in vain;
For all our acts to many issues lead;
And out of earnest purpose, pure and plain,
Enforced by honest toil of hand or brain,
The Lord will fashion in his own good time
(Be this the laborer’s proudly humble creed),
Such ends as in his wisdom, fitliest chime
With his vast love’s eternal harmonies.
There is no failure for the good and wise;
What though thy seed should fall by the wayside,
And the birds snatch it?–Yet the birds are fed;
Or they may bear it far across the tide,
To give rich harvests after thou art dead.”

 
By J R Miller