4489676Poems — The Mission of the Children's ChainAnnie Isabel Curwen
The Mission of the Children's Chain.
LIVERPOOL COURIER.
To sow the seeds of sympathy, To foster thoughts of kindliness In little hearts that else might be Warped by pride and selfishness; Young feet to guide, young souls to train, Is the mission of the Children's Chain.
Old age, alas! is often made The butt of ridicule and fun; The tottering steps, the hoary head, Too oft have little reverence shown: The Links who join this Chain engage To show due reverence to age.
The poor, the patient poor, who bear Their weary burdens day by day, With toilworn hands, oft badly fare—Being rudely jostled on life's rough way: Links who would Dame Durden please Kind courtesy must shew to these.
The weak and suffering who lie Throughout the long monotonous day, Oft for a word of comfort sigh, From those who pass so near their way: Links who form this golden chain Are pledged to sympathise with pain.
To cheer the suffering, aid the weak, To feel for others in distress; And all the dumb creation seek To treat with love and gentleness: These are the virtues we would train, These are the rules of the Children's Chain.
O, little Links! the world has need Of all the good that you can do; O, little hearts! to you I plead Ever to these resolves be true; And let your every action prove The mission of our Chain is Love.
Surely this world will be the brighter For little seeds of kindness sown, And many a troubled heart be lighter For kind words spoken, or good deeds done; And though years roll on there will remain The influence of the Children's Chain.
