“Longest Lanes Must Have a Turning”

Shall we dare to be despondent, though the way is rough and cold?
“Longest lanes must have a turning,” is a saying never old.
Who would feebly faint or falter on life’s journey? Day by day
Grateful sunbeams softly greet us, through the heavy mists of gray;
Blessed gifts the Great All-Father sends to cheer our earthly lot,
And to whisper, sweetly, fondly, that we never are forgot.

Ay, ’tis hard when dreary trouble comes to pierce the faithful heart,
And hope spreads her airy pinions as if eager to depart;
Sickness, with its hand of iron--Justice, with a frowning face,
Wilfully conspire to crush us in a cruel, stern embrace:
Shall we bow beneath the burden, though it is so hard to bear,
Or arise and do our utmost, boldly breaking from despair?

Brothers, sisters, little children,--weak with hunger, bleeding feet,--
Bravely meet the dusky foemen, make the victory complete.
Many weep o’er thy misfortunes,--courage! yet will come a friend;
Do not sink upon the highway, surely this is not the end.
Let us use our best endeavor, ever seeking out the light,--
“Longest lanes must have a turning,”--one is even now in sight.