Shaker Commonplace Book

Not Alone. Susan Coolidge.

The day is long and the day is hard We are tired of the march and keeping guard Tired of the sense of a fight to be won Of days to live thro, and work to be done. Tired of ourselves, and of being alone.

And all the while, did we only see We walk in the Lord's own company We fight, & tis He who moves our arm He turns the arrows which else might harm And out of the storm He brings a calm.

The work which we count so hard to do He makes it easy, for He works too The days that are long to live, are His. A bit of His bright Eternitys, And close to our need His helping is.

You`ll Never Know the Difference.

We never can contented be. With our own lot in life We've always trouble on our mind Some new born care or strife. Why not travel through the world With sunshine on your brow For you'll never know the difference In a thousand years from now. T'wont do to be too proud these days Because you have your wealth. You may, sometime, the wrong man meet And there by, lose your health. Don't scorn to do a little work, The sweat adorns your brow For you'll never know the difference In a thousand years from now. Because your parents are well off Don't scorn to learn a trade, Remember, when the sun is warm You cant always find the shade Don't disdain to earn your living By the hoe, the spade, or plow. For you'll never know the difference In a thousand years from now.

The Station Despair.

We must trust the conductor, most surely Why! millions of millions before Have made this same journey securely And come to the ultimate shore. And we, we shall reach it in season, And ah, what a welcome is there. Reflect then, how out of all reason To stop at the Station Despair.

Ay, midnights and many a potion Of trouble [&] sorrow have we As we journey from ocean to ocean, From sea, unto ultimate sea. To that deep sea of seas, and all silence Of passion, concern, and of care That vast sea, of Eden set islands Don't stop at the Station Despair.

Go forward, whatever may follow Go forward friend, led or alone. [Home], to leap off in some hollow Or fen, in the night and unknown.

Leap off like a thief; try to hide you From angels all waiting you there! Go forward! whatever betide you Don't stop at the station Despair. [C. Union].

Sun Shadow's. Ella Wheeler.

There never was success so nobly gained Or victory so free from earthly dross, But, in the winning, come one, had been pained And some one, suffered loss.

There never was so wisely planned, a fate Or festal throng, with hearts on pleasure bent, But some neglected one, outside the gate. Wept tears of discontent.

There never was a bridal mourning fair With Hope's blue sky, & Love's unclouded sun. For two fond hearts, that did not bring despair To some sad one.

What Not to Lose. Woman's Journal.

Don't lose courage, spirit brave Carry with you, to the grave.

Don't lose time in vain distress Work, not worry, brings success.

Don't lose hope, who lets her stray Goes forlornly, all the way.

Don't lose patience, come what will Patience oft times, out runs skill.

Don't lose gladness, every hour Blooms for you, some lovely flower.

Foiled though be your dearest plans Don't loose faith, in God and man.