Classic Poem

—Thank God for life!
E'ndash though it bring much bitterness and strife,
—And all our fairest hopes be wrecked and lost,
E'ndash though there be more ill than good in life,
—We cling to life and reckon not the cost.
——Thank God for life!

—Thank God for love!
For though sometimes grief follows in its wake,
—Still we forget love's sorrow in love's joy,
And cherish tears with smiles for love's dear sake;
—Only in heaven is bliss without alloy.
——Thank God for love!

—Thank God for pain!
No tear hath ever yet been shed in vain,
—And in the end each sorrowing heart shall find
No curse, but blessings in the hand of pain;
—Even when he smiteth, then is God most kind.
——Thank God for pain!

—Thank God for death!
Who touches anguished lips and stills their breath
—And giveth peace unto each troubled breast;
Grief flies before thy touch, O blessed death;
—God's sweetest gift; thy name in heaven is Rest.
——Thank God for death!

—Thank God for life!
E'ndash though it bring much bitterness and strife,
—And all our fairest hopes be wrecked and lost,
E'ndash though there be more ill than good in life,
—We cling to life and reckon not the cost.
——Thank God for life!

—Thank God for love!
For though sometimes grief follows in its wake,
—Still we forget love's sorrow in love's joy,
And cherish tears with smiles for love's dear sake;
—Only in heaven is bliss without alloy.
——Thank God for love!

—Thank God for pain!
No tear hath ever yet been shed in vain,
—And in the end each sorrowing heart shall find
No curse, but blessings in the hand of pain;
—Even when he smiteth, then is God most kind.
——Thank God for pain!

—Thank God for death!
Who touches anguished lips and stills their breath
—And giveth peace unto each troubled breast;
Grief flies before thy touch, O blessed death;
—God's sweetest gift; thy name in heaven is Rest.
——Thank God for death!