March 10

 

So he died by his faith. That is fine—
More than the most of us do.
But stay. Can you add to that line
That he lived for it too?
It is easy to die. Men have died
For a wish or a whim—
From bravado or passion or pride.
Was it hard for him?
But to live: every day to live out
All the truth that he dreamt,
While his friends met his conduct with doubt,
And the world with contempt.
Was it thus that he plodded ahead,
Never turning aside?
Then we'll talk of the life that he led.
Never mind how he died.
—Ernest Crosby.

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.
—Ezekiel 18. 32.

Almighty God, help me to live an upright life. Give me courage to abandon useless customs, and seeming duties that keep me from perfecting my life. Amen.