A cup of cold water only." (Matt. 10:42.
WHAT am I to do? I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good work, therefore, any kindness, or any service I can render to any soul of man or animal, let me do it now. Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again. --- An Old Quaker Saying.
Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.--- Longfellow.
It isn't the thing you do, dear
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun
The tender word unspoken
The letter you did not write
The flower you might have sent, dear
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother's way
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say
The loving touch of the hand, dear
The gentle and winsome tone
That you had no time or thought for
With troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind
These chances to be angels
Which even mortals find
They come in night and silence
Each chill reproachful wraith
When hope is faint and flagging
And a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, dear.
And sorrow is all too great
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it's not the thing you do, dear
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun.
Adelaide Proctor.