God Give Us Men

God give us men. The time demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hands
   Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
   Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie'
   Men who can stand before a demogogue
Condemn his treacherous flatteries without winking;
   Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and in private thinking!
For while the rabble with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds
Mingle in selfish strife; lo! Freedom weeps!
Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps!
                   by J.G. Holland, 1819-1881

With thoughts that these words from the past are fit for today's nation.

Gladness

Be glad when the flowers have faded?
   Be glad when the trees are bare?
When the fog lies thick on the field and moors,
   And the frost is in the air?
When all around is a desert,
   And the clouds obscure the light?
When there are no songs for the darkest days,
   No stars for the longest night?

Ah, yes, for the truest gladness
   Is not in ease or mirth;
It has its home in the heart of God,
   Not in the loves of the earth.
God's love is the same forever,
   If the skies are bright or dim,
And the joy of the morning lasts all day
   When the heart is glad with Him.
                       Anonymous