Poems

No evil can befall me, In Him I shall abide, His angels keep watch o'er me,— Are ever by my side. Why should I faint or falter With Love at hand to bless? It leads me through the shadows, And the seeming wilderness.

There is no law but the law of God, No power but the power of Good; No bending beneath the Almighty rod, No begging for daily food. For God in His tender, loving care, Knows not of sin or pain; And sendeth us not affliction sore, To bring us to Him again.

Unto thy service, oh my Father gracious, To do thy will alone, I gladly yield, To utter, day by day, thy words so precious, As for them, day by day, is need revealed; Unto thy service, as to tryst appointed, Content, though on my brow the thorns be pressed, For heart, hands, lips, have been by thee anointed,— The spirit of thy Love on me doth rest. Unto thy service, planning not, nor knowing The place, the hour, the task, of ministry.

As lengthening shadows of earth's day Deepen and darken on our way, Oh keep us safe, our God, our King, Beneath Thy sheltering folded wing. For back and forth Life's shuttles ply, Weaving with steady purpose high, For children of Thy gracious light, The seamless robe of glistering white.

Oft at the close of the busy day, When I see its duties all complete, I love to turn from its cares aside, And rest a while at the Master's feet. I love to remember He is my God; Not a far-off name full of awe and fear, But a living presence that fills my heart, And a powerful friend that is ever near.

When self begins to die, as thought awakes To one Life, Mind, and that Mind infinite, I see afar, though faint to sense that quakes, The dawning light of heaven, a bliss unwrit, When self begins to die. The clutching claims of fear relax their hold, And hell begins to sink down out of sight; Ambition, greed, and strife, a triad bold, Let loose their grasp at dawning heaven's light, When self begins to die.

Only to walk in the path He trod, Only to feel the presence of God; Only to know, at dark, if I cry, His aid is ready, His help is nigh. Only to know His Spirit is near, Only to feel there's nothing to fear; Only to know I'm led by His hand, Led by the Spirit to understand.

Turn thou to Love, divine and blest, Whate'er thy need may be; Turn to the Love that's ever near, That never fails to help and cheer, To light thy path, however drear. Turn thou to Love.

O love divine, to mortal thought transcendent, Cleanse thou the taint of earthly love and hate, Till, dead to self, our hearts shall be resplendent, In that Love-light of God inviolate. The choicest fruits of bliss the worldling treasures, Are empty husks to hearts that starve for Love; "Like tired children" sated with their pleasures, We turn from sense to find our joy above.

When clouds of error gather 'round, And dim seems Truth's fair light, When thou art drifting aimlessly Without a port in sight, Be calm, the Father's at the helm, A trustful pilot he, His hand is guiding thy frail bark Into a peaceful sea. Though doubts assail and fears oppress, Be calm, the Father's near, His "Fear thou not," and "Peace be still!" Thy listening soul shall hear.