Poems

Father , this little task that I must do, I ask of Thee to show me just the way That Thou wouldst have it done and, Father, too, I ask of Thee to teach me patiently The law of love to honor and obey; O may my hands be swift to serve, may I Praise Thee in song, and learn to watch and pray.

My heart was musing o'er its daily task Of patient effort in the narrow way, And so was lifted in a prayer to ask Wisdom to learn the lesson for each day; Then came the answer, gentle as a dove, "The only lesson to be learned is love. " Love shall surmount the overhanging steep Of self, in varied forms of human guise; Shall wake the slumbering thought from mortal sleep, And gently bid it to true being rise.

Whate'er there be on land or sea Above, below, of melody Of perfume sweet beyond compare Of loveliness that all may share The cloudless blue of springtime sky Bluer still as the days go by The laughing music of woodland rills The light of dawn on distant hills. The crimson splendor of western sun On silent waters when day is done The lullaby of the twilight breeze Singing softly among the trees.

Thy will be done. O Lord, it seems but one short yesterday Since I, a fearful child Made prayer unto myself,— Unto myself far off removed and magnified,— That life and love be spared And happy, loving days remain; And then through choking, blinding tears While iron fingers swept with rudest touch Across the aching, breaking strings Of a tired heart Cried out, ere anguish could beat back the cry, " Thy will be done.

How will the Father, God of Life, reveal Himself to me? Where may I seek the Saviour, that he still my angry sea? How find the Star, how follow it, on through the city's glare? How know where they have laid him, or if he yet be there? Through every human concept that perceives a force divine The Saviour comes, in lowly guise, to touch your heart and mine; To bridge the gulf impassable between our sense and Soul To teach of Truth and purity, to cleanse and make us whole. Help us to see Thy presence, Lord, and trust in Thee each hour To read Thy loving message in the opening of the flower The glory of the western sky.

My doctrine shall drop as the rain, as the small rain upon the tender herb. —Deuteronomy.

" Hitherto ," and on forever Towers the mighty One, our Rock; Flows His love, a peaceful river For His seeking, thirsty flock. "Fear thou not, for I will help thee!" Clear and sweet the promise rings; Dark despair cannot enfold me, Hope renewed its paean sings.

Truth looks into my eyes And all the inner shadows flee. Truth looks into my eyes And deepest longing satisfies; With strength of the unfathomed sea And peace of morning purity, Truth looks into my eyes.

O Life of love, of peace, of prayer! That soothes all pain, removes all care Gives strength and gladness, makes men free Guards, guides, and leads the way to Thee. O Life of love, my joy complete! My fount of bliss O draught so sweet! I live in Thee, for Thou art mine Thou art the body, bread, and wine.

A splendor wakes upon the world once more— Hark to those elfin violet bells! For Spring has come, and cast her spells, And every bank becomes a palace floor. From meadows fair, illumed by rising sun, A song of melody divine— Of larks unnumbered—mounts with mine: The daylight dawns, behold the night is done! O white May-morning of this hour of grace! O life, awakening from the sod! To know ourselves, and know our God, Know and reflect the glories of His face: To know there is no sin, no selfishness In earth or heaven, His wide domain; There is no consciousness of pain, No parting pangs, no tidings of distress.