A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) ‎#301

301. The Purpose of Life.

Hast thou, ’midst life’s empty noises,
Heard the solemn steps of Time,
And the low, mysterious voices
Of another clime?

Early hath life’s mighty question
Thrilled within thy heart of youth,
With a deep and strong beseeching,—
What, and where, is truth?

Not to ease and aimless quiet
Doth the inward answer tend;
But to works of love and duty,
As our being’s end.

Earnest toil and strong endeavor
Of a spirit which within
Wrestles with familiar evil
And besetting sin;

And without, with tireless vigor,
Steady heart, and purpose strong,
In the power of Truth assaileth
Every form of wrong.

Text Information

• First Line: Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises
• Title: The Purpose of Life.
• Author: Whittier
• Meter: P. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1866

Tune Information

(No tune information)