A Legend of Service (Legends) by Henry Van Dyke
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes involved with a group of people who are working together to improve the community through various acts of service. Through their efforts, they aim to create positive change and demonstrate the value of selfless work for the greater good.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1900 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Allegory, Poetry · 1,353 words
Editions
First lines
It pleased the Lord of Angels (praise His name! ) / To hear, one day, report from those who came / With pitying sorrow, or exultant joy, / To tell of earthly tasks in His employ: / For some were sorry when they saw how slow / The stream of heavenly love on earth must flow; / And some were glad because their eyes had seen, / Along its banks, fresh flowers and living green. / So, at a certain hour, before the throne / The youngest angel, Asmiel, stood alone; / Nor glad, nor sad, but full of earnest thought, / And thus his tidings to the Master brought: / "Lord, in the city Lupon I have found / "Three servants of thy holy name, renowned / "Above their fellows. One is very wise, / "With thoughts that ever range above the skies; / "And one is gifted with the golden speech / "That makes men glad to hear when he will teach; / "And one, with no rare gift or grace endued, / "Has won the people's love by doing good. / "With three such saints Lupon is trebly blest; / "But, Lord, I fain would know, which loves Thee best?"
Similar titles
- Might And Right The Trial As By Fire by Henry Van Dyke
- The White Bees by Henry Van Dyke
- Compromise by Lord Dunsany
- The Messengers by Lord Dunsany
- The Legend Of San Jacinto by O. Henry
- Arnold Winkelried by James Baldwin
Genres
- Religious Fiction — The narrative centers around divine commands, angelic beings, and themes of faith and service to God.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic characters and events to convey moral and spiritual lessons about obedience and devotion.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Inspirational — The themes of selfless service and trust in divine wisdom aim to inspire and uplift the reader.
Tags
Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · Classic · Philosophical · Moral · Historical Fiction · War Story · Nostalgia · Patriotism · Service · Sacrifice
What this Textopian page supports
A Legend of Service (Legends) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Fiction, Allegory, Poetry, Inspirational, Fantasy
- Length: 1,353 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Legend of Service (Legends) by Henry Van Dyke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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