The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 3.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

For fields of duty, opening wide,
     Where all our powers
Are tasked the eager steps to guide
     Of millions on a path untried:
The slave is ours!

Ours by traditions dear and old,
     Which make the race
Our wards to cherish and uphold,
     And cast their freedom in the mould
Of Christian grace.

And we may tread the sick-bed floors
     Where strong men pine,
And, down the groaning corridors,
     Pour freely from our liberal stores
The oil and wine.

Who murmurs that in these dark days
     His lot is cast?
God's hand within the shadow lays
     The stones whereon His gates of praise
Shall rise at last.

Turn and o'erturn, O outstretched Hand!
     Nor stint, nor stay;
The years have never dropped their sand
     On mortal issue vast and grand
As ours to-day.