TRUST

Though time may dig the grave of creeds,And dogmas wither in the sod,My soul will keep the thought it needs—Its swerveless faith in God.No matter how the world began,Nor where the march of science goes,My trust in something more than manShall help me bear life's woes.Let progress take the props away,And moldering superstitions fall;Still God retains his regal sway—The Maker of us all.Why cavil over that or this?One thought is vast enough for me—The great Creator was, and is,And evermore will be.

Though time may dig the grave of creeds,And dogmas wither in the sod,My soul will keep the thought it needs—Its swerveless faith in God.

Though time may dig the grave of creeds,

And dogmas wither in the sod,

My soul will keep the thought it needs—

Its swerveless faith in God.

No matter how the world began,Nor where the march of science goes,My trust in something more than manShall help me bear life's woes.

No matter how the world began,

Nor where the march of science goes,

My trust in something more than man

Shall help me bear life's woes.

Let progress take the props away,And moldering superstitions fall;Still God retains his regal sway—The Maker of us all.

Let progress take the props away,

And moldering superstitions fall;

Still God retains his regal sway—

The Maker of us all.

Why cavil over that or this?One thought is vast enough for me—The great Creator was, and is,And evermore will be.

Why cavil over that or this?

One thought is vast enough for me—

The great Creator was, and is,

And evermore will be.

———

Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds,At last he beat his music out.There lives more faith in honest doubt,Believe me, than in half the creeds.He fought his doubts and gathered strength,He would not make his judgment blind,He faced the specters of the mindAnd laid them; thus he came at lengthTo find a stronger faith his own,And Power was with him in the night,Which makes the darkness and the light,And dwells not in the light alone.—Alfred Tennyson.

Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds,At last he beat his music out.There lives more faith in honest doubt,Believe me, than in half the creeds.

Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds,

At last he beat his music out.

There lives more faith in honest doubt,

Believe me, than in half the creeds.

He fought his doubts and gathered strength,He would not make his judgment blind,He faced the specters of the mindAnd laid them; thus he came at length

He fought his doubts and gathered strength,

He would not make his judgment blind,

He faced the specters of the mind

And laid them; thus he came at length

To find a stronger faith his own,And Power was with him in the night,Which makes the darkness and the light,And dwells not in the light alone.

To find a stronger faith his own,

And Power was with him in the night,

Which makes the darkness and the light,

And dwells not in the light alone.

—Alfred Tennyson.

———

O for a faith that will not shrinkThough pressed by every foe,That will not tremble on the brinkOf any earthly woe!That will not murmur nor complainBeneath the chastening rod,But in the hour of grief or painWill lean upon its God;A faith that shines more bright and clearWhen tempests rage without;That when in danger knows no fear.In darkness feels no doubt;That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown,Nor heeds its scornful smile;That seas of trouble cannot drown,Nor Satan's arts beguile.Lord, give us such a faith as this,And then, whate'er may come,We'll taste, e'en here, the hallowed blissOf an eternal home.—William H. Bathurst.

O for a faith that will not shrinkThough pressed by every foe,That will not tremble on the brinkOf any earthly woe!

O for a faith that will not shrink

Though pressed by every foe,

That will not tremble on the brink

Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complainBeneath the chastening rod,But in the hour of grief or painWill lean upon its God;

That will not murmur nor complain

Beneath the chastening rod,

But in the hour of grief or pain

Will lean upon its God;

A faith that shines more bright and clearWhen tempests rage without;That when in danger knows no fear.In darkness feels no doubt;

A faith that shines more bright and clear

When tempests rage without;

That when in danger knows no fear.

In darkness feels no doubt;

That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown,Nor heeds its scornful smile;That seas of trouble cannot drown,Nor Satan's arts beguile.

That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown,

Nor heeds its scornful smile;

That seas of trouble cannot drown,

Nor Satan's arts beguile.

Lord, give us such a faith as this,And then, whate'er may come,We'll taste, e'en here, the hallowed blissOf an eternal home.

Lord, give us such a faith as this,

And then, whate'er may come,

We'll taste, e'en here, the hallowed bliss

Of an eternal home.

—William H. Bathurst.

———

Who liveth best? Not he whose sail,Swept on by favoring tide and gale,Swift wins the haven fair;But he whose spirit strong doth stillA victory wrest from every ill;Whose faith sublimeOn every cloud a rainbow paints—'Tis he redeems the time.

Who liveth best? Not he whose sail,

Swept on by favoring tide and gale,

Swift wins the haven fair;

But he whose spirit strong doth still

A victory wrest from every ill;

Whose faith sublime

On every cloud a rainbow paints—

'Tis he redeems the time.

———

When in the storm it seems to theeThat he who rules the raging seaIs sleeping—still, with bended knee,Believe good things of God.When thou hast sought in vain to findThe silver thread of love entwinedWith life's oft-tangled web—resigned,Believe good things of God.And should he smite thee till thy heartIs crushed beneath the bruising smart,Still, while the bitter tear-drops start,Believe good things of God.'Tis true, thou canst not understandThe dealings of thy Father's hand;But, trusting what his love has planned,Believe good things of God.He loves thee! In that love confide—Unchanging, faithful, true, and tried;And let or joy or grief betide,Believe good things of God.Thou canst not raise thy thoughts too high;As spreads above the earth the sky,So do his thoughts thy thoughts outvie:Believe good things of God.In spite of what thine eyes behold;In spite of what thy fears have told;Still to his gracious promise hold—Believe good things of God.For know that what thou canst believeThou shalt in his good time receive;Thou canst not half his love conceive—Believe good things of God.—William Luff.

When in the storm it seems to theeThat he who rules the raging seaIs sleeping—still, with bended knee,Believe good things of God.

When in the storm it seems to thee

That he who rules the raging sea

Is sleeping—still, with bended knee,

Believe good things of God.

When thou hast sought in vain to findThe silver thread of love entwinedWith life's oft-tangled web—resigned,Believe good things of God.

When thou hast sought in vain to find

The silver thread of love entwined

With life's oft-tangled web—resigned,

Believe good things of God.

And should he smite thee till thy heartIs crushed beneath the bruising smart,Still, while the bitter tear-drops start,Believe good things of God.

And should he smite thee till thy heart

Is crushed beneath the bruising smart,

Still, while the bitter tear-drops start,

Believe good things of God.

'Tis true, thou canst not understandThe dealings of thy Father's hand;But, trusting what his love has planned,Believe good things of God.

'Tis true, thou canst not understand

The dealings of thy Father's hand;

But, trusting what his love has planned,

Believe good things of God.

He loves thee! In that love confide—Unchanging, faithful, true, and tried;And let or joy or grief betide,Believe good things of God.

He loves thee! In that love confide—

Unchanging, faithful, true, and tried;

And let or joy or grief betide,

Believe good things of God.

Thou canst not raise thy thoughts too high;As spreads above the earth the sky,So do his thoughts thy thoughts outvie:Believe good things of God.

Thou canst not raise thy thoughts too high;

As spreads above the earth the sky,

So do his thoughts thy thoughts outvie:

Believe good things of God.

In spite of what thine eyes behold;In spite of what thy fears have told;Still to his gracious promise hold—Believe good things of God.

In spite of what thine eyes behold;

In spite of what thy fears have told;

Still to his gracious promise hold—

Believe good things of God.

For know that what thou canst believeThou shalt in his good time receive;Thou canst not half his love conceive—Believe good things of God.

For know that what thou canst believe

Thou shalt in his good time receive;

Thou canst not half his love conceive—

Believe good things of God.

—William Luff.

———

Then, fainting soul, arise and sing;Mount, but be sober on the wing;Mount up, for heaven is won by prayer,Be sober, for thou art not there.Till death the weary spirit free,Thy God hath said 'tis good for theeTo walk by faith, and not by sight,Take it on trust a little while;Soon thou shalt read the mystery rightIn the full sunshine of his smile.—John Keble.

Then, fainting soul, arise and sing;

Mount, but be sober on the wing;

Mount up, for heaven is won by prayer,

Be sober, for thou art not there.

Till death the weary spirit free,

Thy God hath said 'tis good for thee

To walk by faith, and not by sight,

Take it on trust a little while;

Soon thou shalt read the mystery right

In the full sunshine of his smile.

—John Keble.

———

All's for the best; be sanguine and cheerful;Trouble and sorrow are friends in disguise;Nothing but folly goes faithless and fearful,Courage forever is happy and wise.All's for the best, if a man would but know it;Providence wishes us all to be blest;This is no dream of the pundit or poet,Heaven is gracious and all's for the best.All's for the best; then fling away terrors;Meet all your fears and your foes in the van;And in the midst of your dangers or errors,Trust like a child, while you strive like a man.All's for the best; unbiased, unbounded,Providence reigns from the east to the west;And, by both wisdom and mercy surrounded,Hope, and be happy, that all's for the best.—Martin Farquhar Tupper.

All's for the best; be sanguine and cheerful;Trouble and sorrow are friends in disguise;Nothing but folly goes faithless and fearful,Courage forever is happy and wise.

All's for the best; be sanguine and cheerful;

Trouble and sorrow are friends in disguise;

Nothing but folly goes faithless and fearful,

Courage forever is happy and wise.

All's for the best, if a man would but know it;Providence wishes us all to be blest;This is no dream of the pundit or poet,Heaven is gracious and all's for the best.

All's for the best, if a man would but know it;

Providence wishes us all to be blest;

This is no dream of the pundit or poet,

Heaven is gracious and all's for the best.

All's for the best; then fling away terrors;Meet all your fears and your foes in the van;And in the midst of your dangers or errors,Trust like a child, while you strive like a man.

All's for the best; then fling away terrors;

Meet all your fears and your foes in the van;

And in the midst of your dangers or errors,

Trust like a child, while you strive like a man.

All's for the best; unbiased, unbounded,Providence reigns from the east to the west;And, by both wisdom and mercy surrounded,Hope, and be happy, that all's for the best.

All's for the best; unbiased, unbounded,

Providence reigns from the east to the west;

And, by both wisdom and mercy surrounded,

Hope, and be happy, that all's for the best.

—Martin Farquhar Tupper.

———

Blest is the faith divine and strong,Of thanks and praise an endless fountain,Whose life is one perpetual songHigh up the Saviour's holy mountain.Blest is the hope that holds to God,In doubt and darkness still unshaken;And sings along the heavenly road,Sweetest when most it seems forsaken.Blest is the love that cannot loveAught that earth gives of best and brightest;Whose raptures thrill, like saints above,Most when its earthly gifts are lightest.Blest is the time that in the eyeOf God its hopeful watch is keeping,And grows into eternityLike noiseless trees when men are sleeping.—Frederick William Faber.

Blest is the faith divine and strong,Of thanks and praise an endless fountain,Whose life is one perpetual songHigh up the Saviour's holy mountain.

Blest is the faith divine and strong,

Of thanks and praise an endless fountain,

Whose life is one perpetual song

High up the Saviour's holy mountain.

Blest is the hope that holds to God,In doubt and darkness still unshaken;And sings along the heavenly road,Sweetest when most it seems forsaken.

Blest is the hope that holds to God,

In doubt and darkness still unshaken;

And sings along the heavenly road,

Sweetest when most it seems forsaken.

Blest is the love that cannot loveAught that earth gives of best and brightest;Whose raptures thrill, like saints above,Most when its earthly gifts are lightest.

Blest is the love that cannot love

Aught that earth gives of best and brightest;

Whose raptures thrill, like saints above,

Most when its earthly gifts are lightest.

Blest is the time that in the eyeOf God its hopeful watch is keeping,And grows into eternityLike noiseless trees when men are sleeping.

Blest is the time that in the eye

Of God its hopeful watch is keeping,

And grows into eternity

Like noiseless trees when men are sleeping.

—Frederick William Faber.

———

Around my path life's mysteriesTheir deepening shadows throw;And as I gaze and ponder,They dark and darker grow;Yet still amid the darknessI feel the light is near,And in the awful stillnessGod's voice I seem to hear.Thy voice I hear above me,Which says, "Wait, trust, and pray,The night will soon be over,And light will come with day."Amen! the light and darknessAre both alike to thee;Then to thy waiting servantAlike they both shall be.That great unending future,I cannot pierce its shroud,But nothing doubt nor tremble,God's bow is on the cloud;To him I yield my spirit,On him I lay my load;Fear ends with death; beyond itI nothing see but God.—Samuel Greg.

Around my path life's mysteries

Their deepening shadows throw;

And as I gaze and ponder,

They dark and darker grow;

Yet still amid the darkness

I feel the light is near,

And in the awful stillness

God's voice I seem to hear.

Thy voice I hear above me,Which says, "Wait, trust, and pray,The night will soon be over,And light will come with day."Amen! the light and darknessAre both alike to thee;Then to thy waiting servantAlike they both shall be.

Thy voice I hear above me,

Which says, "Wait, trust, and pray,

The night will soon be over,

And light will come with day."

Amen! the light and darkness

Are both alike to thee;

Then to thy waiting servant

Alike they both shall be.

That great unending future,I cannot pierce its shroud,But nothing doubt nor tremble,God's bow is on the cloud;To him I yield my spirit,On him I lay my load;Fear ends with death; beyond itI nothing see but God.

That great unending future,

I cannot pierce its shroud,

But nothing doubt nor tremble,

God's bow is on the cloud;

To him I yield my spirit,

On him I lay my load;

Fear ends with death; beyond it

I nothing see but God.

—Samuel Greg.

———

Prune thou thy words; the thoughts controlThat o'er thee swell and throng;—They will condense within thy soul,And change to purpose strong.But he who lets his feelings runIn soft luxurious flowShrinks when hard service must be done,And faints at every woe.Faith's meanest deed more favor bears,Where hearts and wills are weighed,Than brightest transports, choicest prayers,Which bloom this hour, and fade.—John Henry Newman.

Prune thou thy words; the thoughts controlThat o'er thee swell and throng;—They will condense within thy soul,And change to purpose strong.

Prune thou thy words; the thoughts control

That o'er thee swell and throng;—

They will condense within thy soul,

And change to purpose strong.

But he who lets his feelings runIn soft luxurious flowShrinks when hard service must be done,And faints at every woe.

But he who lets his feelings run

In soft luxurious flow

Shrinks when hard service must be done,

And faints at every woe.

Faith's meanest deed more favor bears,Where hearts and wills are weighed,Than brightest transports, choicest prayers,Which bloom this hour, and fade.

Faith's meanest deed more favor bears,

Where hearts and wills are weighed,

Than brightest transports, choicest prayers,

Which bloom this hour, and fade.

—John Henry Newman.

———

Fair is the soul, rare is the soulWho has kept, after youth is past,All the art of the child, all the heart of the child,Holding his faith at last.—Frank Gelett Burgess.

Fair is the soul, rare is the soulWho has kept, after youth is past,All the art of the child, all the heart of the child,Holding his faith at last.

Fair is the soul, rare is the soul

Who has kept, after youth is past,

All the art of the child, all the heart of the child,

Holding his faith at last.

—Frank Gelett Burgess.

———

God knows—not I—the devious wayWherein my faltering feet may tread,Before into the light of day,My steps from out this gloom are led,And, since my Lord the path doth see,What matter if 'tis hid from me?God knows—not I—how sweet accordShall grow at length from out this clashOf earthly discords which have jarredOn soul and sense; I hear the crash,Yet feel and know that on his earBreaks harmony—full, deep, and clear.God knows—not I—why, when I'd fainHave walked in pastures green and fair,The path he pointed me hath lainThrough rocky deserts, bleak and bare.I blindly trust—since 'tis his will—This way lies safety, that way ill.He knoweth, too, despite my willI'm weak when I should be most strong.And after earnest wrestling stillI see the right yet do the wrong.Is it that I may learn at lengthNot mine, but his, the saving strength?His perfect plan I may not grasp,Yet I can trust Love Infinite,And with my feeble fingers claspThe hand which leads me into light.My soul upon his errands goes,The end I know not—but God knows.

God knows—not I—the devious way

Wherein my faltering feet may tread,

Before into the light of day,

My steps from out this gloom are led,

And, since my Lord the path doth see,

What matter if 'tis hid from me?

God knows—not I—how sweet accordShall grow at length from out this clashOf earthly discords which have jarredOn soul and sense; I hear the crash,Yet feel and know that on his earBreaks harmony—full, deep, and clear.

God knows—not I—how sweet accord

Shall grow at length from out this clash

Of earthly discords which have jarred

On soul and sense; I hear the crash,

Yet feel and know that on his ear

Breaks harmony—full, deep, and clear.

God knows—not I—why, when I'd fainHave walked in pastures green and fair,The path he pointed me hath lainThrough rocky deserts, bleak and bare.I blindly trust—since 'tis his will—This way lies safety, that way ill.

God knows—not I—why, when I'd fain

Have walked in pastures green and fair,

The path he pointed me hath lain

Through rocky deserts, bleak and bare.

I blindly trust—since 'tis his will—

This way lies safety, that way ill.

He knoweth, too, despite my willI'm weak when I should be most strong.And after earnest wrestling stillI see the right yet do the wrong.Is it that I may learn at lengthNot mine, but his, the saving strength?

He knoweth, too, despite my will

I'm weak when I should be most strong.

And after earnest wrestling still

I see the right yet do the wrong.

Is it that I may learn at length

Not mine, but his, the saving strength?

His perfect plan I may not grasp,Yet I can trust Love Infinite,And with my feeble fingers claspThe hand which leads me into light.My soul upon his errands goes,The end I know not—but God knows.

His perfect plan I may not grasp,

Yet I can trust Love Infinite,

And with my feeble fingers clasp

The hand which leads me into light.

My soul upon his errands goes,

The end I know not—but God knows.

———

Thus far the Lord hath led us, in darkness and in day,Through all the varied stages of the narrow homeward way;Long since he took that journey—he trod that path alone;Its trials and its dangers full well himself hath known.Thus far the Lord hath led us; the promise hath not failed.The enemy, encountered oft, has never quite prevailed:The shield of faith has turned aside, or quenched each fiery dart,The Spirit's sword in weakest hands has forced him to depart.Thus far the Lord hath led us; the waters have been high,But yet in passing through them we felt that he was nigh.A very present helper in trouble we have found,His comforts most abounded when our sorrows did abound.Thus far the Lord hath led us; our need hath been supplied,And mercy hath encompassed us about on every side;Still falls the daily manna; the pure rock-fountains flow;And many flowers of love and hope along the wayside grow.Thus far the Lord hath led us; and will he now forsakeThe feeble ones whom for his own it pleases him to take?Oh, never, never! earthly friends may cold and faithless prove,But his is changeless pity and everlasting love.Calmly we look behind us, our joys and sorrows past,We know that all is mercy now, and shall be well at last;Calmly we look before us; we fear no future ill,Enough for safety and for peace, ifThouart with us still.Yes, they that know thy name, Lord, shall put their trust in thee,While nothing in themselves but sin and helplessness they see.The race thou hast appointed us with patience we can run,Thou wilt perform unto the end the work thou hast begun.

Thus far the Lord hath led us, in darkness and in day,

Through all the varied stages of the narrow homeward way;

Long since he took that journey—he trod that path alone;

Its trials and its dangers full well himself hath known.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; the promise hath not failed.The enemy, encountered oft, has never quite prevailed:The shield of faith has turned aside, or quenched each fiery dart,The Spirit's sword in weakest hands has forced him to depart.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; the promise hath not failed.

The enemy, encountered oft, has never quite prevailed:

The shield of faith has turned aside, or quenched each fiery dart,

The Spirit's sword in weakest hands has forced him to depart.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; the waters have been high,But yet in passing through them we felt that he was nigh.A very present helper in trouble we have found,His comforts most abounded when our sorrows did abound.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; the waters have been high,

But yet in passing through them we felt that he was nigh.

A very present helper in trouble we have found,

His comforts most abounded when our sorrows did abound.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; our need hath been supplied,And mercy hath encompassed us about on every side;Still falls the daily manna; the pure rock-fountains flow;And many flowers of love and hope along the wayside grow.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; our need hath been supplied,

And mercy hath encompassed us about on every side;

Still falls the daily manna; the pure rock-fountains flow;

And many flowers of love and hope along the wayside grow.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; and will he now forsakeThe feeble ones whom for his own it pleases him to take?Oh, never, never! earthly friends may cold and faithless prove,But his is changeless pity and everlasting love.

Thus far the Lord hath led us; and will he now forsake

The feeble ones whom for his own it pleases him to take?

Oh, never, never! earthly friends may cold and faithless prove,

But his is changeless pity and everlasting love.

Calmly we look behind us, our joys and sorrows past,We know that all is mercy now, and shall be well at last;Calmly we look before us; we fear no future ill,Enough for safety and for peace, ifThouart with us still.

Calmly we look behind us, our joys and sorrows past,

We know that all is mercy now, and shall be well at last;

Calmly we look before us; we fear no future ill,

Enough for safety and for peace, ifThouart with us still.

Yes, they that know thy name, Lord, shall put their trust in thee,While nothing in themselves but sin and helplessness they see.The race thou hast appointed us with patience we can run,Thou wilt perform unto the end the work thou hast begun.

Yes, they that know thy name, Lord, shall put their trust in thee,

While nothing in themselves but sin and helplessness they see.

The race thou hast appointed us with patience we can run,

Thou wilt perform unto the end the work thou hast begun.

———

Have you found your life distasteful?My life did and does smack sweet.Was your youth of pleasure wasteful?Mine I saved, and hold complete.Do your joys with age diminish?When mine fail me I'll complain.Must in death your daylight finish?My sun sets to rise again.I find earth not gray, but rosy;Heaven not grim, but fair of hue.Do I stoop? I pluck a posy;Do I stand and stare? All's blue.—Robert Browning.

Have you found your life distasteful?

My life did and does smack sweet.

Was your youth of pleasure wasteful?

Mine I saved, and hold complete.

Do your joys with age diminish?

When mine fail me I'll complain.

Must in death your daylight finish?

My sun sets to rise again.

I find earth not gray, but rosy;

Heaven not grim, but fair of hue.

Do I stoop? I pluck a posy;

Do I stand and stare? All's blue.

—Robert Browning.

———

In wise proportion does a fond hand mingleThe sweet and bitter in our life-cup here;Each drop of either is by love eternalPoured forth in wisdom for his children dear.The loving Father, as a wise physician,Knows what the wants of all those children are;Knows which is needed most—the joy or sorrow,The peace of comfort, or affliction's war.Then, should the bitter be our daily portion,So that we cannot any sweet discern,Let us, in childlike faith, receive with meeknessThe needed tonic, and its lessons learn.And if we cannot even that decipher,Let us be still, nay, thank him for his care,Contented that we soon shall know—hereafter—When we the fullness of his presence share.—Charlotte Murray.

In wise proportion does a fond hand mingleThe sweet and bitter in our life-cup here;Each drop of either is by love eternalPoured forth in wisdom for his children dear.

In wise proportion does a fond hand mingle

The sweet and bitter in our life-cup here;

Each drop of either is by love eternal

Poured forth in wisdom for his children dear.

The loving Father, as a wise physician,Knows what the wants of all those children are;Knows which is needed most—the joy or sorrow,The peace of comfort, or affliction's war.

The loving Father, as a wise physician,

Knows what the wants of all those children are;

Knows which is needed most—the joy or sorrow,

The peace of comfort, or affliction's war.

Then, should the bitter be our daily portion,So that we cannot any sweet discern,Let us, in childlike faith, receive with meeknessThe needed tonic, and its lessons learn.

Then, should the bitter be our daily portion,

So that we cannot any sweet discern,

Let us, in childlike faith, receive with meekness

The needed tonic, and its lessons learn.

And if we cannot even that decipher,Let us be still, nay, thank him for his care,Contented that we soon shall know—hereafter—When we the fullness of his presence share.

And if we cannot even that decipher,

Let us be still, nay, thank him for his care,

Contented that we soon shall know—hereafter—

When we the fullness of his presence share.

—Charlotte Murray.

———

Know well, my soul, God's hand controlsWhate'er thou fearest;Round him in calmest music rollsWhate'er thou hearest.Nothing before, nothing behind;The steps of faithFall on the seeming void, and findThe rock beneath.The Present, the Present is all thou hastFor thy sure possessing;Like the patriarch's angel, hold it fastTill it gives its blessing.—John Greenleaf Whittier.

Know well, my soul, God's hand controlsWhate'er thou fearest;Round him in calmest music rollsWhate'er thou hearest.

Know well, my soul, God's hand controls

Whate'er thou fearest;

Round him in calmest music rolls

Whate'er thou hearest.

Nothing before, nothing behind;The steps of faithFall on the seeming void, and findThe rock beneath.

Nothing before, nothing behind;

The steps of faith

Fall on the seeming void, and find

The rock beneath.

The Present, the Present is all thou hastFor thy sure possessing;Like the patriarch's angel, hold it fastTill it gives its blessing.

The Present, the Present is all thou hast

For thy sure possessing;

Like the patriarch's angel, hold it fast

Till it gives its blessing.

—John Greenleaf Whittier.

———

I am of sinfulness and sorrows full!Thou art the Mighty, Great, and Merciful!How should we not be friends, or thou not saveMe who bring naught to thee who all things gave?—Edwin Arnold, from the Sanskrit.

I am of sinfulness and sorrows full!Thou art the Mighty, Great, and Merciful!How should we not be friends, or thou not saveMe who bring naught to thee who all things gave?

I am of sinfulness and sorrows full!

Thou art the Mighty, Great, and Merciful!

How should we not be friends, or thou not save

Me who bring naught to thee who all things gave?

—Edwin Arnold, from the Sanskrit.

———

I know not the way I am going,But well do I know my Guide!With a childlike trust do I give my handTo the mighty Friend by my side;And the only thing that I say to him,As he takes it, is, "Hold it fast!Suffer me not to lose the way,And lead me home at last."As when some helpless wandererAlone in some unknown land,Tells the guide his destined place of rest,And leaves all else in his hand;'Tis home—'tis home that I wish to reach,He who guides me may choose the way;And little I care what path I takeWhen nearer home each day.

I know not the way I am going,

But well do I know my Guide!

With a childlike trust do I give my hand

To the mighty Friend by my side;

And the only thing that I say to him,

As he takes it, is, "Hold it fast!

Suffer me not to lose the way,

And lead me home at last."

As when some helpless wandererAlone in some unknown land,Tells the guide his destined place of rest,And leaves all else in his hand;'Tis home—'tis home that I wish to reach,He who guides me may choose the way;And little I care what path I takeWhen nearer home each day.

As when some helpless wanderer

Alone in some unknown land,

Tells the guide his destined place of rest,

And leaves all else in his hand;

'Tis home—'tis home that I wish to reach,

He who guides me may choose the way;

And little I care what path I take

When nearer home each day.

———

In some way or other the Lord will provide;It may not bemyway, it may not bethyway;And yet in hisownway, "The Lord will provide."At some time or other the Lord will provide;It may not bemytime, it may not bethytime;And yet in hisowntime, "The Lord will provide."Despond, then, no longer, the Lord will provide.And this be the token—no word he hath spokenWas ever yet broken: "The Lord will provide."March on, then, right boldly; the sea shall divide;The pathway made glorious, with shoutings victoriousWe'll join in the chorus, "The Lord will provide."—Mary Ann W. Cook.

In some way or other the Lord will provide;It may not bemyway, it may not bethyway;And yet in hisownway, "The Lord will provide."

In some way or other the Lord will provide;

It may not bemyway, it may not bethyway;

And yet in hisownway, "The Lord will provide."

At some time or other the Lord will provide;It may not bemytime, it may not bethytime;And yet in hisowntime, "The Lord will provide."

At some time or other the Lord will provide;

It may not bemytime, it may not bethytime;

And yet in hisowntime, "The Lord will provide."

Despond, then, no longer, the Lord will provide.And this be the token—no word he hath spokenWas ever yet broken: "The Lord will provide."

Despond, then, no longer, the Lord will provide.

And this be the token—no word he hath spoken

Was ever yet broken: "The Lord will provide."

March on, then, right boldly; the sea shall divide;The pathway made glorious, with shoutings victoriousWe'll join in the chorus, "The Lord will provide."

March on, then, right boldly; the sea shall divide;

The pathway made glorious, with shoutings victorious

We'll join in the chorus, "The Lord will provide."

—Mary Ann W. Cook.

———

It is faith,The feeling that there's God. He reigns and rulesOut of this low world.—Robert Browning.

It is faith,The feeling that there's God. He reigns and rulesOut of this low world.

It is faith,

The feeling that there's God. He reigns and rules

Out of this low world.

—Robert Browning.

———

Encamped along the hills of light,Ye Christian soldiers, rise,And press the battle ere the nightShall veil the glowing skies;Against the foe in vales belowLet all our strength be hurled;Faith is the victory, we know,That overcomes the world.His banner over us is love,Our sword the word of God;We tread the road the saints aboveWith shouts of triumph trod;By faith they, like a whirlwind's breath,Swept on o'er every field;The faith by which they conquered deathIs still our shining shield.On every hand the foe we findDrawn up in dread array;Let tents of ease be left behind,And—onward to the fray;Salvation's helmet on each head,With truth all girt about,The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,And echo with our shout.To him that overcomes the foeWhite raiment shall be given;Before the angels he shall knowHis name confessed in heaven;Then onward from the hills of light,Our hearts with love aflame,We'll vanquish all the hosts of nightIn Jesus' conquering name.—John H. Yates.

Encamped along the hills of light,

Ye Christian soldiers, rise,

And press the battle ere the night

Shall veil the glowing skies;

Against the foe in vales below

Let all our strength be hurled;

Faith is the victory, we know,

That overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,Our sword the word of God;We tread the road the saints aboveWith shouts of triumph trod;By faith they, like a whirlwind's breath,Swept on o'er every field;The faith by which they conquered deathIs still our shining shield.

His banner over us is love,

Our sword the word of God;

We tread the road the saints above

With shouts of triumph trod;

By faith they, like a whirlwind's breath,

Swept on o'er every field;

The faith by which they conquered death

Is still our shining shield.

On every hand the foe we findDrawn up in dread array;Let tents of ease be left behind,And—onward to the fray;Salvation's helmet on each head,With truth all girt about,The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,And echo with our shout.

On every hand the foe we find

Drawn up in dread array;

Let tents of ease be left behind,

And—onward to the fray;

Salvation's helmet on each head,

With truth all girt about,

The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,

And echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foeWhite raiment shall be given;Before the angels he shall knowHis name confessed in heaven;Then onward from the hills of light,Our hearts with love aflame,We'll vanquish all the hosts of nightIn Jesus' conquering name.

To him that overcomes the foe

White raiment shall be given;

Before the angels he shall know

His name confessed in heaven;

Then onward from the hills of light,

Our hearts with love aflame,

We'll vanquish all the hosts of night

In Jesus' conquering name.

—John H. Yates.

———

Yes, we do differ when we most agree,For words are not the same to you and me,And it may be our several spiritual needsAre best supplied by seeming different creeds.And, differing, we agree in oneInseparable communion,If the true life be in our hearts; the faithWhich not to want is death;To want is penance; to desireIs purgatorial fire;To hope is paradise; and to believeIs all of heaven that earth can e'er receive.—Hartley Coleridge.

Yes, we do differ when we most agree,

For words are not the same to you and me,

And it may be our several spiritual needs

Are best supplied by seeming different creeds.

And, differing, we agree in one

Inseparable communion,

If the true life be in our hearts; the faith

Which not to want is death;

To want is penance; to desire

Is purgatorial fire;

To hope is paradise; and to believe

Is all of heaven that earth can e'er receive.

—Hartley Coleridge.

———

Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,The promise assures us, "The Lord will provide."The birds, without barn or storehouse, are fed;From them let us learn to trust for our bread:His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied,So long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."When Satan appears to stop up our path,And fills us with fears, we triumph by faith;He can not take from us, though oft he has tried,The heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain;The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain:But when such suggestions our graces have tried,This answers all questions, "The Lord will provide."No strength of our own nor goodness we claim;Our trust is all thrown on Jesus's name:In this our strong tower for safety we hide:The Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."When life sinks apace, and death is in view,The word of his grace shall comfort us through;Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,We hope to die shouting, "The Lord will provide."—John Newton.

Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,The promise assures us, "The Lord will provide."

Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,

Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,

Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,

The promise assures us, "The Lord will provide."

The birds, without barn or storehouse, are fed;From them let us learn to trust for our bread:His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied,So long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."

The birds, without barn or storehouse, are fed;

From them let us learn to trust for our bread:

His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied,

So long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."

When Satan appears to stop up our path,And fills us with fears, we triumph by faith;He can not take from us, though oft he has tried,The heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."

When Satan appears to stop up our path,

And fills us with fears, we triumph by faith;

He can not take from us, though oft he has tried,

The heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain;The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain:But when such suggestions our graces have tried,This answers all questions, "The Lord will provide."

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain;

The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain:

But when such suggestions our graces have tried,

This answers all questions, "The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own nor goodness we claim;Our trust is all thrown on Jesus's name:In this our strong tower for safety we hide:The Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own nor goodness we claim;

Our trust is all thrown on Jesus's name:

In this our strong tower for safety we hide:

The Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."

When life sinks apace, and death is in view,The word of his grace shall comfort us through;Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,We hope to die shouting, "The Lord will provide."

When life sinks apace, and death is in view,

The word of his grace shall comfort us through;

Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,

We hope to die shouting, "The Lord will provide."

—John Newton.

———

Art thou afraid his power will failWhen comes thy evil day?And can an all-creating armGrow weary, or decay!

Art thou afraid his power will fail

When comes thy evil day?

And can an all-creating arm

Grow weary, or decay!

———

If we believed we should arise and sing,Dropping our burdens at his piercèd feet.Sorrow would flee and weariness take wing,Hard things grow fair, and bitter waters sweet.If we believed, what room for fear or careWithin his arms, safe sheltered on his breast?Peace for our pain, and hope for our despair,Is what he meant who said, "I give thee rest."Why linger, turn away, or idly grieve?Where else is rest—the soul's supremest need?Grandly he offers; meanly we receive.Yet love that gives us rest is love indeed.The love that rests—say, shall it not do more?Make haste, sad soul, thy heritage to claim.It calms; it heals; it bears what erst ye bore,And marks thy burdens with his own dear name.Carried in him and for him, can they harmOr press thee sore, or prove a weary weight?Nay, nay; into thy life his blessed calmShall drop, and thou no more be desolate.

If we believed we should arise and sing,Dropping our burdens at his piercèd feet.Sorrow would flee and weariness take wing,Hard things grow fair, and bitter waters sweet.

If we believed we should arise and sing,

Dropping our burdens at his piercèd feet.

Sorrow would flee and weariness take wing,

Hard things grow fair, and bitter waters sweet.

If we believed, what room for fear or careWithin his arms, safe sheltered on his breast?Peace for our pain, and hope for our despair,Is what he meant who said, "I give thee rest."

If we believed, what room for fear or care

Within his arms, safe sheltered on his breast?

Peace for our pain, and hope for our despair,

Is what he meant who said, "I give thee rest."

Why linger, turn away, or idly grieve?Where else is rest—the soul's supremest need?Grandly he offers; meanly we receive.Yet love that gives us rest is love indeed.

Why linger, turn away, or idly grieve?

Where else is rest—the soul's supremest need?

Grandly he offers; meanly we receive.

Yet love that gives us rest is love indeed.

The love that rests—say, shall it not do more?Make haste, sad soul, thy heritage to claim.It calms; it heals; it bears what erst ye bore,And marks thy burdens with his own dear name.

The love that rests—say, shall it not do more?

Make haste, sad soul, thy heritage to claim.

It calms; it heals; it bears what erst ye bore,

And marks thy burdens with his own dear name.

Carried in him and for him, can they harmOr press thee sore, or prove a weary weight?Nay, nay; into thy life his blessed calmShall drop, and thou no more be desolate.

Carried in him and for him, can they harm

Or press thee sore, or prove a weary weight?

Nay, nay; into thy life his blessed calm

Shall drop, and thou no more be desolate.

———

Beside thy gracious hearth content I stay,Or with thee fate's appointed journey go;I lean upon thee when my step is slow,I wrap me with thee in the naked day.With thee no loneliness, no pathless way;The wind is heaven's, to take as it shall blow;More than thy voice, thy hand, I need not know;I may not murmur, for I shall not stray.

Beside thy gracious hearth content I stay,Or with thee fate's appointed journey go;I lean upon thee when my step is slow,I wrap me with thee in the naked day.

Beside thy gracious hearth content I stay,

Or with thee fate's appointed journey go;

I lean upon thee when my step is slow,

I wrap me with thee in the naked day.

With thee no loneliness, no pathless way;The wind is heaven's, to take as it shall blow;More than thy voice, thy hand, I need not know;I may not murmur, for I shall not stray.

With thee no loneliness, no pathless way;

The wind is heaven's, to take as it shall blow;

More than thy voice, thy hand, I need not know;

I may not murmur, for I shall not stray.

———

Not so in haste, my heart!Have faith in God, and wait;Although he seems to linger longHe never comes too late.He never comes too late;He knoweth what is best;Vex not thyself, it is in vain;Until he cometh, rest.Until he cometh, rest;Nor grudge the hours that roll;The feet that wait for God, 'tis theyAre soonest at the goal.Are soonest at the goalThat is not gained by speed;Then hold thee still, O restless heart,For I shall wait his lead.—Bradford Torrey.

Not so in haste, my heart!Have faith in God, and wait;Although he seems to linger longHe never comes too late.

Not so in haste, my heart!

Have faith in God, and wait;

Although he seems to linger long

He never comes too late.

He never comes too late;He knoweth what is best;Vex not thyself, it is in vain;Until he cometh, rest.

He never comes too late;

He knoweth what is best;

Vex not thyself, it is in vain;

Until he cometh, rest.

Until he cometh, rest;Nor grudge the hours that roll;The feet that wait for God, 'tis theyAre soonest at the goal.

Until he cometh, rest;

Nor grudge the hours that roll;

The feet that wait for God, 'tis they

Are soonest at the goal.

Are soonest at the goalThat is not gained by speed;Then hold thee still, O restless heart,For I shall wait his lead.

Are soonest at the goal

That is not gained by speed;

Then hold thee still, O restless heart,

For I shall wait his lead.

—Bradford Torrey.

———

Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near,And for my relief will surely appear.His love in time past forbids me to thinkHe'll leave me at last in trouble to sink.Since all that I meet shall work for my good,The bitter is sweet, the medicine food;Though painful at present, 'twill cease before long,And then, oh, how pleasant the conqueror's song!—John Newton.

Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near,And for my relief will surely appear.His love in time past forbids me to thinkHe'll leave me at last in trouble to sink.

Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near,

And for my relief will surely appear.

His love in time past forbids me to think

He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink.

Since all that I meet shall work for my good,The bitter is sweet, the medicine food;Though painful at present, 'twill cease before long,And then, oh, how pleasant the conqueror's song!

Since all that I meet shall work for my good,

The bitter is sweet, the medicine food;

Though painful at present, 'twill cease before long,

And then, oh, how pleasant the conqueror's song!

—John Newton.

———

As yonder tower outstretches to the earthThe dark triangle of its shade aloneWhen the clear day is shining on its top,So, darkness in the pathway of man's lifeIs but the shadow of God's providence,By the great Sun of Wisdom cast therein;And what is dark below is light in Heaven.—John Greenleaf Whittier.

As yonder tower outstretches to the earth

The dark triangle of its shade alone

When the clear day is shining on its top,

So, darkness in the pathway of man's life

Is but the shadow of God's providence,

By the great Sun of Wisdom cast therein;

And what is dark below is light in Heaven.

—John Greenleaf Whittier.

———

Faith is a grasping of Almighty power;The hand of man laid on the arm of God;The grand and blessèd hourIn which the things impossible to meBecome the possible, O Lord, through thee.—Anna E. Hamilton.

Faith is a grasping of Almighty power;The hand of man laid on the arm of God;The grand and blessèd hourIn which the things impossible to meBecome the possible, O Lord, through thee.

Faith is a grasping of Almighty power;

The hand of man laid on the arm of God;

The grand and blessèd hour

In which the things impossible to me

Become the possible, O Lord, through thee.

—Anna E. Hamilton.

———

There is no faith in seeing. Were we ledLike children here,And lifted over rock and river bed,No care, no fear,We should be useless in the busy throng,Life's work undone;Lord, make us brave and earnest, in faith strong,Till heaven is won.

There is no faith in seeing. Were we led

Like children here,

And lifted over rock and river bed,

No care, no fear,

We should be useless in the busy throng,

Life's work undone;

Lord, make us brave and earnest, in faith strong,

Till heaven is won.

———

The cross on Golgotha can never saveThy soul from deepest hell;Unless with loving faith thou setts't it upWithin thy heart as well.—Scheffler, tr. by Frederic Rowland Marvin.

The cross on Golgotha can never saveThy soul from deepest hell;Unless with loving faith thou setts't it upWithin thy heart as well.

The cross on Golgotha can never save

Thy soul from deepest hell;

Unless with loving faith thou setts't it up

Within thy heart as well.

—Scheffler, tr. by Frederic Rowland Marvin.

———

In vain they smite me. Men but doWhat God permits with different view.To outward sight they hold the rod,But faith proclaims it all of God.—Madame Guyon.

In vain they smite me. Men but doWhat God permits with different view.To outward sight they hold the rod,But faith proclaims it all of God.

In vain they smite me. Men but do

What God permits with different view.

To outward sight they hold the rod,

But faith proclaims it all of God.

—Madame Guyon.

———

Talk Faith. The world is better off withoutYour uttered ignorance and morbid doubt.If you have faith in God, or man, or self,Say so; if not, push back upon the shelfOf silence lower thoughts till faith shall come.

Talk Faith. The world is better off without

Your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt.

If you have faith in God, or man, or self,

Say so; if not, push back upon the shelf

Of silence lower thoughts till faith shall come.

———

The body sins not, 'tis the willThat makes the action good or ill.—Robert Herrick.

The body sins not, 'tis the willThat makes the action good or ill.

The body sins not, 'tis the will

That makes the action good or ill.

—Robert Herrick.

———

Who never doubted, never half believed;Where doubt, there truth is—'tis her shadow.—Philip James Bailey.

Who never doubted, never half believed;Where doubt, there truth is—'tis her shadow.

Who never doubted, never half believed;

Where doubt, there truth is—'tis her shadow.

—Philip James Bailey.

———

'Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay,But the high faith that failed not by the way.—James Russell Lowell.

'Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay,But the high faith that failed not by the way.

'Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay,

But the high faith that failed not by the way.

—James Russell Lowell.

———

No more with downcast eyes go faltering on,Alone and sick at heart, and closely pressed.Thy chains shall break, thy heavy heart is gone,For he who calls thee, he will "give thee rest."—Mary Lowe Dickinson.

No more with downcast eyes go faltering on,Alone and sick at heart, and closely pressed.Thy chains shall break, thy heavy heart is gone,For he who calls thee, he will "give thee rest."

No more with downcast eyes go faltering on,

Alone and sick at heart, and closely pressed.

Thy chains shall break, thy heavy heart is gone,

For he who calls thee, he will "give thee rest."

—Mary Lowe Dickinson.

———

My God, I would not liveSave that I think this gross hard-seeming worldIs our misshaping vision of the PowersBehind the world that make our griefs our gains.—Alfred Tennyson.

My God, I would not liveSave that I think this gross hard-seeming worldIs our misshaping vision of the PowersBehind the world that make our griefs our gains.

My God, I would not live

Save that I think this gross hard-seeming world

Is our misshaping vision of the Powers

Behind the world that make our griefs our gains.

—Alfred Tennyson.

———

And all is well, though faith and formBe sundered in the night of fear.Well roars the storm to those that hearA deeper voice across the storm.—Alfred Tennyson.

And all is well, though faith and formBe sundered in the night of fear.Well roars the storm to those that hearA deeper voice across the storm.

And all is well, though faith and form

Be sundered in the night of fear.

Well roars the storm to those that hear

A deeper voice across the storm.

—Alfred Tennyson.

———

The crowd of cares, the weightiest cross,Seem trifles less than light;Earth looks so little and so low,When faith shines full and bright.—Frederick William Faber.

The crowd of cares, the weightiest cross,Seem trifles less than light;Earth looks so little and so low,When faith shines full and bright.

The crowd of cares, the weightiest cross,

Seem trifles less than light;

Earth looks so little and so low,

When faith shines full and bright.

—Frederick William Faber.

———

A faith that shines by night and dayWill lighten every earthly load.

A faith that shines by night and day

Will lighten every earthly load.

———

Grant us, O God, in love to thee—Clear eyes to measure things below,Faith the invisible to see,And wisdom thee in all to know.

Grant us, O God, in love to thee—

Clear eyes to measure things below,

Faith the invisible to see,

And wisdom thee in all to know.

———

Our doubts are traitors,And make us lose the good we oft might win,By fearing to attempt.—William Shakespeare.

Our doubts are traitors,And make us lose the good we oft might win,By fearing to attempt.

Our doubts are traitors,

And make us lose the good we oft might win,

By fearing to attempt.

—William Shakespeare.

Since thy Father's arm sustains thee,Peaceful be;When a chastening hand restrains thee,It is he.Know his love in full completenessFills the measure of thy weakness;If He wound the spirit sore,Trust him more.Without murmur, uncomplaining,In His hand.Lay whatever things thou canst notUnderstand.Though the world thy folly spurneth,From thy faith in pity turneth,Peace thy inmost soul shall fill,Lying still.Like an infant, if thou thinkestThou canst stand,Childlike, proudly pushing backThe offered hand,Courage soon is changed to fear,Strength doth feebleness appear;In his love if thou abide,He will guide.Fearest sometimes that thy FatherHath forgot?When the clouds around thee gather,Doubt him not.Always hath the daylight broken;Always hath He comfort spoken;Better hath he been for yearsThan thy fears.Therefore, whatsoe'er betideth,Night or day,Know His love for thee providethGood alway.Crown of sorrow gladly take;Grateful wear it for His sake;Sweetly bending to his will,Lying still.To his own thy Saviour givethDaily strength.To each troubled soul that liveth,Peace at length.Weakest lambs have largest shareOf the tender Shepherd's care;Ask him not the "When," or "How";Only bow.—Charles Rudolf Hagenbach.

Since thy Father's arm sustains thee,

Peaceful be;

When a chastening hand restrains thee,

It is he.

Know his love in full completeness

Fills the measure of thy weakness;

If He wound the spirit sore,

Trust him more.

Without murmur, uncomplaining,In His hand.Lay whatever things thou canst notUnderstand.Though the world thy folly spurneth,From thy faith in pity turneth,Peace thy inmost soul shall fill,Lying still.

Without murmur, uncomplaining,

In His hand.

Lay whatever things thou canst not

Understand.

Though the world thy folly spurneth,

From thy faith in pity turneth,

Peace thy inmost soul shall fill,

Lying still.

Like an infant, if thou thinkestThou canst stand,Childlike, proudly pushing backThe offered hand,Courage soon is changed to fear,Strength doth feebleness appear;In his love if thou abide,He will guide.

Like an infant, if thou thinkest

Thou canst stand,

Childlike, proudly pushing back

The offered hand,

Courage soon is changed to fear,

Strength doth feebleness appear;

In his love if thou abide,

He will guide.

Fearest sometimes that thy FatherHath forgot?When the clouds around thee gather,Doubt him not.Always hath the daylight broken;Always hath He comfort spoken;Better hath he been for yearsThan thy fears.

Fearest sometimes that thy Father

Hath forgot?

When the clouds around thee gather,

Doubt him not.

Always hath the daylight broken;

Always hath He comfort spoken;

Better hath he been for years

Than thy fears.

Therefore, whatsoe'er betideth,Night or day,Know His love for thee providethGood alway.Crown of sorrow gladly take;Grateful wear it for His sake;Sweetly bending to his will,Lying still.

Therefore, whatsoe'er betideth,

Night or day,

Know His love for thee provideth

Good alway.

Crown of sorrow gladly take;

Grateful wear it for His sake;

Sweetly bending to his will,

Lying still.

To his own thy Saviour givethDaily strength.To each troubled soul that liveth,Peace at length.Weakest lambs have largest shareOf the tender Shepherd's care;Ask him not the "When," or "How";Only bow.

To his own thy Saviour giveth

Daily strength.

To each troubled soul that liveth,

Peace at length.

Weakest lambs have largest share

Of the tender Shepherd's care;

Ask him not the "When," or "How";

Only bow.

—Charles Rudolf Hagenbach.

———

I am glad to thinkI am not bound to make the world go right,But only to discover and to doWith cheerful heart the work that God appoints.I will trust in himThat he can hold his own; and I will takeHis will, above the work he sendeth me,To be my chiefest good.—Jean Ingelow.

I am glad to thinkI am not bound to make the world go right,But only to discover and to doWith cheerful heart the work that God appoints.

I am glad to think

I am not bound to make the world go right,

But only to discover and to do

With cheerful heart the work that God appoints.

I will trust in himThat he can hold his own; and I will takeHis will, above the work he sendeth me,To be my chiefest good.

I will trust in him

That he can hold his own; and I will take

His will, above the work he sendeth me,

To be my chiefest good.

—Jean Ingelow.

———

I know not if the dark or brightShall be my lot;If that wherein my hopes delightBe best or not.It may be mine to drag for yearsToil's heavy chain;Or day and night my meat be tears,On bed of pain.Dear faces may surround my hearthWith smiles and glee;Or I may dwell alone, and mirthBe strange to me.My bark is wafted to the strandBy breath divine;And on the helm there rests a handOther than mine.One who has known in storms to sailI have on board;Above the raging of the galeI hear my Lord.He holds me when the billows smite;I shall not fall;If sharp, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light,He tempers all.Safe to the land, safe to the land!The end is this:And then with him go, hand in hand,Far into bliss.—Dean Alford.

I know not if the dark or brightShall be my lot;If that wherein my hopes delightBe best or not.

I know not if the dark or bright

Shall be my lot;

If that wherein my hopes delight

Be best or not.

It may be mine to drag for yearsToil's heavy chain;Or day and night my meat be tears,On bed of pain.

It may be mine to drag for years

Toil's heavy chain;

Or day and night my meat be tears,

On bed of pain.

Dear faces may surround my hearthWith smiles and glee;Or I may dwell alone, and mirthBe strange to me.

Dear faces may surround my hearth

With smiles and glee;

Or I may dwell alone, and mirth

Be strange to me.

My bark is wafted to the strandBy breath divine;And on the helm there rests a handOther than mine.

My bark is wafted to the strand

By breath divine;

And on the helm there rests a hand

Other than mine.

One who has known in storms to sailI have on board;Above the raging of the galeI hear my Lord.

One who has known in storms to sail

I have on board;

Above the raging of the gale

I hear my Lord.

He holds me when the billows smite;I shall not fall;If sharp, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light,He tempers all.

He holds me when the billows smite;

I shall not fall;

If sharp, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light,

He tempers all.

Safe to the land, safe to the land!The end is this:And then with him go, hand in hand,Far into bliss.

Safe to the land, safe to the land!

The end is this:

And then with him go, hand in hand,

Far into bliss.

—Dean Alford.

———

I cannot see, with my small human sight,Why God should lead this way or that for me;I only know he saith, "Child, follow me."But I can trust.I know not why my path should be at timesSo straitly hedged, so strongly barred before;I only know God could keep wide the door;But I can trust.I find no answer, often, when besetWith questions fierce and subtle on my way,And often have but strength to faintly pray;But I can trust.I often wonder, as with trembling handI cast the seed along the furrowed ground,If ripened fruit will in my life be found;But I can trust.I cannot know why suddenly the stormShould rage so fiercely round me in its wrath;But this I know—God watches all my path,And I can trust.I may not draw aside the mystic veilThat hides the unknown future from my sight;Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;But I can trust.I have no power to look across the tide,To see, while here, the land beyond the river;But this I know, I shall be God's forever;So I can trust.

I cannot see, with my small human sight,Why God should lead this way or that for me;I only know he saith, "Child, follow me."But I can trust.

I cannot see, with my small human sight,

Why God should lead this way or that for me;

I only know he saith, "Child, follow me."

But I can trust.

I know not why my path should be at timesSo straitly hedged, so strongly barred before;I only know God could keep wide the door;But I can trust.

I know not why my path should be at times

So straitly hedged, so strongly barred before;

I only know God could keep wide the door;

But I can trust.

I find no answer, often, when besetWith questions fierce and subtle on my way,And often have but strength to faintly pray;But I can trust.

I find no answer, often, when beset

With questions fierce and subtle on my way,

And often have but strength to faintly pray;

But I can trust.

I often wonder, as with trembling handI cast the seed along the furrowed ground,If ripened fruit will in my life be found;But I can trust.

I often wonder, as with trembling hand

I cast the seed along the furrowed ground,

If ripened fruit will in my life be found;

But I can trust.

I cannot know why suddenly the stormShould rage so fiercely round me in its wrath;But this I know—God watches all my path,And I can trust.

I cannot know why suddenly the storm

Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath;

But this I know—God watches all my path,

And I can trust.

I may not draw aside the mystic veilThat hides the unknown future from my sight;Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;But I can trust.

I may not draw aside the mystic veil

That hides the unknown future from my sight;

Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;

But I can trust.

I have no power to look across the tide,To see, while here, the land beyond the river;But this I know, I shall be God's forever;So I can trust.

I have no power to look across the tide,

To see, while here, the land beyond the river;

But this I know, I shall be God's forever;

So I can trust.

———

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