John Greenleaf Whittier was an American Quaker poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Frequently listed as one of the fireside poets, he was influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Whittier is remembered particularly for his anti-slavery writings, as well as his book Snow-Bound.
Whittier was particularly supportive of women writers, including Alice Cary, Phoebe Cary, Sarah Orne Jewett, Lucy Larcom, and Celia Thaxter. He was especially influential on prose writings by Jewett, with whom he shared a belief in the moral quality of literature and an interest in New England folklore. Jewett dedicated one of her books to him and modeled several of her characters after people in Whittier’s life. (via Wikipedia)
A few of his great quotes are listed below:
On God:
Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well.
The smile of God is victory.
God is and all is well.
I pray for faith, I long to trust I listen with my heart, and hear A Voice without a sound ‘Be just, Be true, be merciful, revere The Word within thee God is near ‘A light to sky and earth unknown Pales all their lights a mightier force Than theirs the powers of Nature own, And, to its goal as at its source, His Spirit moves the Universe. ‘Believe and trust. Through stars and suns, Through life and death, through soul and sense, His wise, paternal purpose runs The darkness of His providence Is star-lit with benign intents.’ O joy supreme I know the Voice Like none beside on earth or sea Yea, more, O soul of mine, rejoice, By all that He requires of me, I know what God himself must be…. I fear no more.
We live by faith but Faith is not the slave Of text and legend. Reasons voice and Gods, Natures and Dutys, never are at odds. What asks our Father of His children, save Justice and mercy and humility, A reasonable service of good deeds, Pure living, tenderness to human needs, Reverence and trust, and prayer for light to see The Masters footprints in our daily ways No knotted scourge nor sacrificial knife, But the calm beauty of an ordered life Whose very breathing is unworded praise A life that stands as all true lives have stood Firm-rooted in the faith that God is Good.
On Inspiration:
Clothe with life the weak intent,
Let me be the thing I meant …
The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.
The windows of my soul I throw
Wide open to the sun.
Rest if you must, but never quit.
On Nature:
The tints of autumn…a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.
Sometimes it seems as if the universe wants to be noticed!!
I know not where his islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care.