Clifford E. Jones, "Lead By Thy Life" (1903)
By doing well that which you have to do.
Place high the standard of your heart's desire,
And let your deeds some other heart inspire.
For whether high or low be your estate
Some kindred soul your deeds will emulate;
And should you overtake, upon life's road,
Some weary pilgrim, bent beneath his load,
Fail not to pause, and help him on his way,
For time thus spent, is counted not delav.
And when you come to where the paths diverge,
Toward the right be sure to urge
All those who fain would go the other way,
To follow you, lest they should go astray.
And let your voice be that of one who cheers
The lonely heart, and makes it smile through tears
Be tender, patient, generous and true,
Lend strength to weaker hands stretched out to you,
And when at last the sands of life have run,
The consciousness of deeds thus nobly done,
Will be the beacon light of Paradise,
To guide your spirit safely to the skies.
Published in Colored American Magazine, July 1903