THE WAY

By Dr. D. O. S. Lowell

     Lo, through the thick darkness the goal

             ever gleameth

        Toward which we so boldly are tend-

              ing;

     Like a star, in the firmament shining, it

              seemeth

        To lighten the way we are wending:

     The phantoms of darkness us never can

              frighten;

        Mischances and mockeries serve but to

              brighten

     The Way, strait and definite, we are pur-

              suing,

        And aid in the work we are doing.

     Straight forward, with courage, nor veer-

              ing nor stopping

        Pursue we this Way of our own:

     Ne’er faileth the water, by dropping and

              dropping,

        To wear through a mountain of stone:

     For Hope, and Persistence, and Patience

              together

        Are watchwords efficient in all kinds of

              weather;

     So, step after step—such is ever the

              story—

        We'll come to the goal of our glory.

     We scatter the seed: and the hope that we

              cherish

        E’er brightens the way we are going;

     Though seeds by the hundred and thous-

              and may perish,

        We never will cease from the sowing.

     “Enough!” cry the mocking Philistines

              who meet us.

     “No, never enough till the whole world

              shall greet us!

        Then onward, and onward, and on-

              ward forever,

        Till posterity bless our endeavor!”

     Though drought and though tempest to-

              gether may scatter,

        Yea, wither the leaves on our trees,—

     We thank the rough storm that doth

              bruise them and batter,

        For strength thus they gain by de-

              grees.

     Our faithful co‑workers no effort shall

              slacken,

     Though cyclones assail us our progress

              to backen;

         Persistently onward—tried, proven,

          devoted—

        They march to the goal they have noted.

     Straight forward, with courage, nor veer-

              ing nor stopping

        Pursue we this Way of our own:

     Ne’er faileth the water, by dropping and

              dropping,

        To wear through a mountain of stone:

     For Hope, and Persistence, and Patience

              together

        Are watchwords efficient in all kinds of

              weather;

     So, step after step—such is ever the

              story—

         We'll come to the goal of our glory.