CHANNING! my Mentor whilst my thought was young, <br />And I the votary of fair liberty,— <br />How hung I then upon thy glowing tongue, <br />And thought of love and truth as one with thee! <br />Thou wast the inspirer of a nobler life, <br />When I with error waged unequal strife, <br />And from its coils thy teaching set me free. <br />Be ye, his followers, to his leading true, <br />Nor privilege covet, nor the wider sway; <br />But hold right onward in his loftier way, <br />As best becomes, and is his rightful due. <br />If learning ’s yours,—gifts God doth least esteem,— <br />Beyond all gifts was his transcendent view: <br />O realize his Pentecostal dream!<br /><br />Amos Bronson Alcott<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/channing/
