quote · Legacy record
Is there any smile of prophecy upon the world’s wide face? Among the striving millions there, say who shall win the race? ’Mid fallen towers, and falling thrones, and glories that decay, Will any kingdom rise to shine in everlasting day? One spirit powers His riches o’er all the earth abroad, And all these changing pictures shew the glory of our God. But, would you know the meaning and the virtue of the whole, Descend to yonder vale, where dwells one happy human soul. There sitting in the sunshine, the grey-haired labourer see, He smiles upon his grandson there, who plays besides the tree; Where, when a child, he played himself, and soon its bough shall wave, When he rests from all his labours, above his quiet grave! Oh yes; there is a meaning and a rest for every heart, Not in gazing on the whole, but in doing well a part; Where rests in peace and thankfulness, one reasonable soul,— There centres all the happiness, the wisdom of the whole!
Is there any smile of prophecy upon the world’s wide face? Among the striving millions there, say who shall win the race? ’Mid fallen towers, and falling thrones, and glories that decay, Will any kingdom rise to shine in everlasting day? One spirit powers His riches o’er all the earth abroad, And all these changing pictures shew the glory of our God. But, would you know the meaning and the virtue of the whole, Descend to yonder vale, where dwells one happy human soul. There sitting in the sunshine, the grey-haired labourer see, He smiles upon his grandson there, who plays besides the tree; Where, when a child, he played himself, and soon its bough shall wave, When he rests from all his labours, above his quiet grave! Oh yes; there is a meaning and a rest for every heart, Not in gazing on the whole, but in doing well a part; Where rests in peace and thankfulness, one reasonable soul,— There centres all the happiness, the wisdom of the whole!
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- J. Gostick (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 599 · printed citation: J. Gostick · subject: THANKFULNESS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.