Friendship, Love and Truth

926 IMPROVEMENT ERA. to win souls to Christ, Always remembering with joy the commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND TRUTH. BY H. W. NAISBITT. The mellow voice of Friendship rings Adown the fleeing years; And closer to my soul it clings, In words and quiet tears. For I have tasted mental woe, Its suff'ring hath been mine, The fainting soul alone doth know, The cheer of Friendship's wine! The charm of Love hath brought me bliss, Its dulcet tones have been The prelude to its holiest kiss, Life's elixir unseen! Full oft beneath its magic spell Hath thrilled that music sweet, Which was not all that life could tell To tired and weary feet. The tender touch of Fame hath lit Ambition's lurid fire, Which swelled and died as all unfit Save 'twas for wild desire; It only reached to earthly joy — 'Twas meant life's cup to fill; Beneath it all was base alloy. It vanished at my will! I dreamt of Wealth, men call it gold, 'Twill buy— oh many things; I could not bind, as time unrolled, I found it, too, had wings! And now my Friendship looks afar. E'en Love hath upward flown, And Fame, and Wealth; where gates ajar Heaven makes the whole, my own!