We cannot all be heroes,
And thrill a hemisphere
With some great daring venture,
Some deed that mocks at fear;
But we can fill a life time
With kindly acts and true;
There’s always noble service
For noble hearts to do.
We cannot all be preachers,
And sway with voice and pen,
As strong winds sway the forest,
The mind and hearts of men
But we can be evangels
To souls within our reach;
There’s always Love’s own gospel
For loving hearts to preach.
We cannot all be martyrs,
And win a deathless name
By some Divine Baptism,
Some ministry of flame;
But we can live for truth’s sake,
Can do for Christ and dare;
There’s always faithful witness
For faithful hearts to bear.”
[Walter B. Knight, Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations (Eerdman: Grand Rapids, 1956), 619.]