I think of a few lines penned by Charles D. Meigs from an experience that happened years ago in the life of General [William] Booth, who wanted to send a message at Christmas time to every Salvation Army post throughout the world. He wanted to send it by cable. He recognized the great cost, so he boiled it down to one word. He did send that message by cable to every Salvation Army outpost in the world. His message was “others.” Charles D. Meigs caught the vision of it.
Lord help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be of others.
Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I do for you
Must needs be done for others.
Let self be crucified and slain
And buried deep, and all in vain,
My efforts be to raise again
Unless to live for others.
And when my work on earth is done
And my new work in Heaven begun
May I forget the crown I’ve won
While thinking still of others.
Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others
That I may live for Thee.
John Longden, March 6, 1963, “BYU Speeches of the Year,” 1963, p. 5-6