Life Purpose

       A story is told of Rubens that during his sojourn as ambassador to the Court of Philip in Spain, he was detected at work upon a painting by a courtier, who, not knowing much about his true fame, exclaimed in surprise, "What! does an ambassador to his Catholic Majesty amuse himself with painting pictures?" "No," replied Rubens, "the painter sometimes amuses himself with diplomacy."

"The serious business of life is the producing of a good character; all else is pastime."

These noble ambitions for a true life are put in verse by H. H. Barston:

To face each day of life

Nor flinch from any task;

To front the moment's strife

And only courage ask.

To be a man unawed

By aught but heaven's command;

Tho men revile or plaud.

To take a stand - and stand.

To fill my life with toil,

With God's free air and light;

To shun the things that spoil,

That hasten age and night;

To sweat beneath my hod,

Nor ask a better gift

From self or man or God

Than will and strength to lift.

To keep my spirit sweet

Tho head and hand be tired;

Each brother man to greet,

Nor leave him uninspired;

To keep my spirit fed

On God unceasingly,

That none may lack his bread

Who walk this way with me.