Poems

Lead , kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home,— Lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet! I do not ask to see The distant scene,—one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou Shouldst lead me on: I loved to choose and see my path; but now, Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

When from matter I would turn, Then Thy truths I can discern. The things I see, reduced to thought, Bring out their value, which is nought.

" Help one another," the snowflakes said, As they cuddled down in their fleecy bed. " One of us here would not be felt, One of us here would quickly melt; But I 'll help you and you 'll help me, And then what a big white drift we 'll see.

Now cometh Autumn, laden sweetly down With juice of hastening months and sunshine rare. Low bend the boughs, that man and beast may eat, And bird and insect, too,—enough for all.

From out the hideous night, Seeking Thy perfect light, Dear Lord, I come! Ambushed on every side, Dark error's foemen hide; Oh, lead me on. Armed with Thy Truth's sharp steel, No fear of foes I feel,— Strong in Thy might.

When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean, And billows wild contend with angry roar, 'T is said, far down, beneath the wild commotion, That peaceful stillness reigneth evermore. Far, far beneath, the noisy tempest dieth, And silver waves chime ever peacefully, And no rude storm, how fierce soe'er it flieth, Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea.

Midsummer gladness, In light; Midsummer sadness, In blight; Sadness and sorrow, In wrong. Gladness we borrow, And song, If the heart, pure in Itself, Seeks for the Truth, not For pelf.

The flower of the Vine is but a little thing, The least part of its life. You scarce could tell It ever had a flower.

Lying down in pain, Rising up in joy! What a boon has come To my darling boy. Dreams of terror's night, Fleeing from his thought; This the blissful change, In one hour wrought.

I thank Thee, oh God, for the glorious light That has shown us the Truth and dispelled the dark night; I thank Thee for Jesus, his words I would cite: "Your nets you must cast on the side of the right. " I thank Thee for her who divided the sea, And showed me the way to be happy and free; For I know that the way she is leading must be The way I must follow, to come unto Thee.