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Life is a school for all mankind,

Where daily lessons are assigned

And each may do his best;

God is the Master who will teach

The truths that lie within our reach

And leave to us the rest.

Each has his proper place at start

And each can learn his little part

If earnestly he tries;

Altho’ his standard may be low,

He surely to the head will go

Who on himself relies.

Each has a chance among the rest

To do his worst or do his best

And his must be the choice,—

Either to break the golden rule

And cause confusion in life’s school,

Or heed the Master’s voice.

The discipline is not severe,

Altho’ the Master we should fear

To keep us from a wrong;

There is no need to sigh and fret,

Or to despair, with lashes wet,

Because our task seems long.

The lessons that so oft’ we spurn

We know that some time we must learn,

Then why should we delay?

He stays behind who is the dunce,

The wisest does his task at once

And goes upon his way.

The Master’s sympathy prevails

With him who tries altho’ he fails,

For He will help not chide;

When rest and honors have been won

He hears the Master say: “Well done,”

And he is satisfied.