The pure, the bright, the beautiful,

That stirred our hearts in youth,

The impulses to wordless prayer,

The dreams of love and truth;

The longing after something s lost,

The spirit s yearning cry,

The striving after better hopes-

These things can never die.

The timid hand stretched forth to aid

A friend in his need,

A kindly word in grief s dark hour

That proves a friend indeed ;

The plea for mercy softly breathed,

When justice threatens nigh,

The sorrow of a contrite heart-

These things shall never die.

Let nothing pass for every hand

Must find some work to do ;

Lose not a chance to waken love

Be firm, and just ,and true;

So shall a light that cannot fade

Beam on thee from on high.

And angel voices say to thee

These things shall never die.