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 WILL TRUST
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 G.o.d appoints.
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 BRIGHT
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 years Toil's heavy chain; Or day and night my meat be tears, On bed of pain.
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 strand By breath divine; And on the helm there rests a hand Other than mine.
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.
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 CAN TRUST
I cannot see, with my small human sight, Why G.o.d 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 times So straitly hedged, so strongly barred before; I only know G.o.d could keep wide the door; 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 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 storm Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath; But this I know--G.o.d watches all my path, And 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 G.o.d's forever; So I can trust.
The world is wide In time and tide, And G.o.d is guide; Then do not hurry.
That man is blest Who does his best And leaves the rest; Then do not worry.
--Charles F. Deems.
WISDOM OF DISCIPLINE
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; His will is ever just; Howe'er he orders now my cause I will be still, and trust.
He is my G.o.d, Though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall, Wherefore to him I leave it all.
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; He never will deceive; He leads me by the proper path, And so to him I cleave, And take, content, What he hath sent; His hand can turn my grief away, And patiently I wait his day.
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; He taketh thought for me; The cup that my Physician gives No poisoned draught can be, But medicine due; For G.o.d is true; And on that changeless truth I build And all my heart with hope is filled.
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; Though I the cup must drink That bitter seems to my faint heart, I will not fear nor shrink; Tears pa.s.s away With dawn of day; Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, And pain and sorrow all depart.
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; My Light, my Life, is he, Who cannot will me aught but good; I trust him utterly; For well I know, In joy or woe, We soon shall see, as sunlight clear, How faithful was our Guardian here.
Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; Here will I take my stand; Though sorrow, need, or death, make earth For me a desert land.
My Father's care Is round me there; He holds me that I shall not fall, And so to him I leave it all.
--S. Rodigast.
MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND
"My times are in thy hand"; My G.o.d, I wish them there; My life, my friends, my soul, I leave Entirely to thy care.
"My times are in thy hand,"
Whatever they may be; Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, As best may seem to thee.
"My times are in thy hand"; Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear.
"My times are in thy hand,"
Jesus, the crucified!
The hand my cruel sins had pierced Is now my guard and guide.
"My times are in thy hand"; I'll always trust in thee; And, after death, at thy right hand I shall forever be.
--William F. Lloyd.
ALL FOR THE BEST
Away, my needless fears, And doubts no longer mine; A ray of heavenly light appears, A messenger divine.