The Measure of a Man

HARRY J. DUNHAM

Oh, what's the measure of a man?
The prestige of an ancient clan,
A sturdy form, a comely face,
Or wealth, or power, or pride of place,
Devotion to ambition's aim
With one intent, an honored name
Which all the world with pride may scan,—
Are these the measure of a man?

Not so! The man of humble mind,
Who hath his Father's will divined,
And bearing much and suffering long
Yet no dominion yields to wrong;
Who, be his station high or low,
Doth no respect of persons show,
But serving God whate'er befall,
Doth righteous judgment judge withal;
Who succoreth those by want distressed,
Uplifts the fallen and oppressed,
Renewing hope and courage where
He found but fear and dark despair;
Who finds in evil's vaunted power
Occasion in the present hour
Again, as oft of old, to prove
The conquering might of Truth and Love;
Who, free from lust and blighting fear,
Accepts not things as they appear,
But sees, despite the carnal mind,
God's image stamped on all mankind;
Who turns aside hate's fiery darts
With charity, which Love imparts;
To whom existence understood
Means God as All, and All as good.

Aye, even though he be denied
The prestige of ancestral pride;
And comeliness, and wealth, and fame,
And power, and proud ambition's aim
Be each and all withheld, and he—
As worldlings judge—convicted be
Of failure, yet his deeds sublime
Will stand approved, till hoary time
Shall cease, and immortality
Doth crown his deathless victory
O'er sin, and self, and mortal sense,
And be for aye his recompense,
Revealing in the eternal plan
God's measure of a perfect man!

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The Measure of a Man

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access