Newspaper History presents media sourced from a United States newspaper dating back 108 years.

  • Whatever Is—Is Best

    From The Detroit Times, June 25, 1915. By Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

    I know as my life grows older,
        And mine eyes have clearer sight—
    That under each rank wrong, somewhere
        There lies the root of right;
    That each sorrow has a purpose,
        By the sorrowing oft unguessed,
    But sure as the sun brings morning,
        Whatever is—is best.

    I know that each sinful action,
        As sure as the night brings shade
    Is somewhere, sometime punished
        Tho’ the hour be long delayed.
    I know that the soul is aided
        Sometimes by the heart’s unrest
    And to grow means often to suffer—
        But whatever is—is best.

    I know there are no errors
        In the great eternal plan,
    And all things work together
        For the final good of man.
    And I know as my soul speeds onward
        In its grand eternal quest,
    I shall say as I look back earthward,
        Whatever is—is best.