Poems (Hoffman)/Help Each Other

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

HELP EACH OTHER.

Help each other, life's a journey,
Weary foot-worn pilgrims, we,
 Traveling to a better country,
 To a home beyond the sea.

Help each other in the journey,
For we cannot always know
 How the sharp thorns line the pathway
 Of our brothers here below.

Though we may walk in the sunshine,
Others may in darkness grope;
 Help thy brothers, comfort, cheer them,
 Point them to the star of hope.

Comfort one another daily,
Pleasant words, they little cost;
 Yet their loving, gentle message,
 Can be never, never lost.

Help thy brother, when temptation's
Stormy billows o'er him roll;
 O remember that thy brother
 Hath a never-dying soul!

Though he may despond or falter,
His weak struggles don't despise;
 Even though he may have fallen,
 Help a fallen brother rise.

Help each other, life is fleeting,
Time for us will soon be gone;
 Kind acts we will not regret them,
 When a brighter morn shall dawn.

Do thy little, though forgotten,
On the earth shall be thy name;
 Sometime the dark grave shall open
 Where thy buried hopes have lain.

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Waiting not for earthly praise;
 Ye shall find it not forgotten,
 Find it after many days.

When upon life's stormy billows
Thy frail, helpless bark is tossed;
 O remember! One who watches
 Will not count thy labor lost.

Do thy duty, stand up bravely
In the battle of the Lord;
 Earth 'tis true may never pay thee,
 Heaven will bring thee thy reward.