Poems

An arid waste, so bleak, so drear— 'Tis surely life-forsaken here! The eager eye in vain looks 'round. In vain the ear awaits some sound That tells of life—and waits and longer waits— Stands still, and waits again, to prove The truth, the all sufficiency of Love.

Each separate child of God is beautiful. Dwelling in heaven, his forever home.

Give , give! cried Love. Seek not for self to gain, But, with both hands o'erflowing, of thy best Give unto those that ask thee, nor refrain From those who.

" Thy will be done"! Not as of old we pray This prayer of Jesus for ourselves today; With fuller knowledge of the truth we say,    "Thy will be done!" In earlier years our foolish blindness deemed That we, than Thou, far kindlier purpose dreamed;— A tearful thing to say, and hard, it seemed,    "Thy will be done!" But now naught lovelier than Thy will we know; Forth from Thy will to all Thy children go All good and perfect gifts in ceaseless flow.    Thy will be done! What is Thy will for me today? I raise Glad, trustful eyes, and heart outbreaks in praise, For good are all Thy thoughts, good all Thy ways!    Thy will be done! For me Thou willest no slightest touch of pain; No sickness, weakness, no transmitted stain; No disability, defect, nor strain:    Thy will be done! Within Thy will for me can be no trace Of doubt, dejection, failure, or disgrace; Nor sense of lack, or discord, find a place.

He lay in deepest gloom— Self-built his early tomb— No chink allowed the sunshine room— Ah, well-a-day! Truth's voice dispelled the night— Fears fell to left and right— Kind thoughts, they put self-love to flight — He lived that day! He left his prison cell— Divine Love broke the spell— Ah, how to bless Love knows full well— Love loves alway! The roses lost their thorn— When this great truth was horn— And since that day glad smiles have worn— To bless man's way! Thoughts callow learn to fly— Through tender ministry— So we must learn—both you and I— To love alway!

I. O Blessings infinite! O glad New Year! Sweet sign and substance Of God's presence here.

O restless heart, be still, and know That I am God! To all earth's jarring noises close thine ears, Yea, even from the voice of thine own fears; Hush every sigh, and cease thee from thy tears, And in the path thy stumbling feet have trod, Be still, and know. Be still, and know that I am Life That knows no death! No change I know, nor shalt thou fearful stand Lest from thy clasp shall slip some loved one's hand, Leaving thee lonely in a desert land; For Life holds naught akin to mortal breath.

And as they went, to them the cleansing came. The word' was spoken, and they turned to go,— Obedient to his voice who bade them show Themselves unto the priest,—in look the same As when his aid they sought.

What though the day seem full of pain, Of toil and care and sorrow: What if today's task seemeth hard, No need to fear tomorrow. But hearken, as the living Christ Now speaks in peace unbroken.

Night's curtain falleth, cold and dark and drear; Heavy my heart, and sore beset with fear. When, lo, a message flashes o'er the deep— "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep.