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From Friends' Intelligencer, Sixth month 15, 1889.

A WOMAN'S ASPIRATIONS.

[The republication of this fine Poem, by Bessie P. Miller, (afterward Thom), of Sandy Spring, Md,, whose lamented death has recently been noticed in the INTELLIGENCER, is asked for; -- EDS.]

O GOD ! This fleeting life I have from Thee !
Within me hast Thou breathed a spark divine !
And all I am and can be wholly Thine.
An utter longing fills my soul, that I
Be proven not quite unworthy ere I die, --
Ere I be called to render up my soul,
Again made perfect in Thy perfect whole.

What can I be to show my gratitude ?
Sincere at least down to the very core,
With kindness speaking, -- feeling it much more ;
A woman truthy worthy to be loved,
A woman by no sickly motive moved,
But guided by a brave integrity
At whose approach all evil thoughts must flee.

No words or acts of love shall be too small
For hands and heart with power like mine to do,
No task imposed by love shall e'er appall,
But cheerfully I will end the pursue,
Knowing that help will come, tho' I am weak.
To do my duty -- That is what I seek,
I care not whether it be great or smal--
Small things done well, are greatest after all.

Love, not ambition, be my guide through life,
Not selfish love that only seeks to find
A place of shelter, in a world of strife :
But self-forgetful love for all mankind.
To consel strong, yet stronger still to aid ;
A woman fit to love for all mankind.
To consel strong, yet stronger stronger still to aid ;
A woman fit to live ; a lifetime made --
By thought and deed, thro' guidance of the soul,--
Though not a perfect, yet a noble whole.

A Woman's Aspirations

I feel within, unconquered, unsubdued,
The strivings of a vast and mighty force,
A voice speaks clear, '' Go forth and fight for good
Go bravely forth and run a manly course.''
I will obey. I consecrate my life
To thee, O God! I'll enter in the strife
"Gainst ignorance and crime, and do my part,
Albeit with bleeding wounds and broken heart.

True coruage shall my every act reveal--
A courage to command or to obey,
A courage which shall make those near me feel
That here is one to trust on a darkest day.
A courage to stand up for right,
A courage to help the weak and guiltless in the fight,
A courage that is tempered and refined
By gentleness and modesty combined.

No human brother, fallen howe'er low
Shall ever look to me in vain for aid
Within the power of man, but he shall go,
Revived and cheered, his pathway clearer made.
Whene'er I may, I will a hand extend
Or friendship true. Each word I speak I shall tend
To rouse, encourage, strengthen, and inspire,
And make my hearers seek for something higher.

Whate'er I do, I'll do with all my might ,
And all to God's greatest glory, and because
I love him and my fellow-man alright.
I'll know no futile dream, no idle pause,
But ever will I labor day and year ;
Though vexed by a many a doubt and many a fear
I'll work on bravely to the very end,
The humble child of god, the whole wolrd's friend.
B.P.M.